Blair claims Serbs instruct Simpson

The Prime Minister, Mr Blair, yesterday claimed that the veteran BBC correspondent, John Simpson, was producing reports from …

The Prime Minister, Mr Blair, yesterday claimed that the veteran BBC correspondent, John Simpson, was producing reports from Belgrade under Serb instructions.

Mr Blair told MPs that Simpson, the corporation's world affairs editor, was "entirely able to present whatever reports he likes.

"And we are perfectly entitled to say that those reports are provided for under the instruction and guidance of the Serbian authorities," he added.

Senior Downing Street sources have been angered by reports from Western TV reporters in Belgrade, particularly after they broadcast pictures of Kosovan refugee casualties they claimed had been bombed by NATO.