The office of British Prime Minister Tony Blair today tried to deflect criticism of his holiday at the US mansion of pop star Robin Gibb, saying the beleaguered premier had paid for the stay.
Conservatives and newspapers savaged Mr Blair over his year-end break at the Bee Gees star's luxurious Florida home, demanding to know whether it was costing British taxpayers money or if it was a "freebie".
The Daily Mailprinted a front-page story about the visit under the headline "Shameless" and asked in an editorial: "Is any degradation too deep for Tony Blair in his quest for a glitzy family holiday on the cheap?"
Downing Street declined to give any details about the prime minister's holiday but a spokeswoman said: "There is a private commercial arrangement in place".
The Daily Mailquoted Gibb's wife Dwina as saying the Gibbs had neither asked for nor accepted money from Mr Blair, who it said was relaxing at the €7.6 million seafront mansion with his wife Cherie and three of their children.
A similar house would cost up to €60,000 pounds a week to rent, reports said.
Conservative MP Chris Grayling told the Daily Telegraphthat Mr Blair's holiday raised legitimate questions.
"We need very clear details on who is paying for this holiday or whether it is a 'freebie'," he said.
Another Conservative politician said the visit cheapened the premier's office.
Mr Blair's Florida visit only came to light because of a safety scare at Miami airport. The Boeing 747 carrying Mr Blair and his family missed a runway exit on arrival from London on Tuesday, prompting emergency vehicles to rush to the scene.
The controversy over his holiday comes as the Prime Minister is embroiled in a party funding scandal. British police questioned him earlier this month in an investigation into allegations that state honours were handed out in return for loans to his party.
Mr Blair has been in office for more than nine years but he has said he will step down next year as his popularity slumped over his support for the Iraq war and government scandals.
It is not the first time Blair has drawn fire over his taste for holidaying with celebrities.
He has stayed several times at singer Cliff Richard's Barbados mansion and has visited the Sardinian villa of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
He has in the past made donations to charity to cover the cost of hospitality he has received.
PA