BRITAIN: Convicted fraudster Mr Peter Foster yesterday portrayed himself as the victim of a blackmail plot and media character assassination - and said he had never set out to "sting" the Blairs.
The Australian conman who has been jailed in the US, the UK and his home country, took the opportunity to reveal in a long-awaited statement that he was writing his autobiography and would include final chapters on the "Cheriegate" affair.
Mr Foster spoke out about his part in buying two flats for the Blair family, after becoming the boyfriend of Ms Cherie Blair's confidante Ms Carole Caplin, following more than two weeks of claim and counter claim which have paralysed Downing Street.
His "final" account did contradict several aspects of Ms Blair's own versions of events, but No 10 said they had nothing to "add or subtract" from what officials had said before.
Mr Foster said he had spoken to Mrs Blair on three occasions, maintained he had negotiated a £69,000 discount on the flats for her and said she had given him "innocent advice" on his deportation case.
"I have been the subject over the last few weeks of the most extraordinary character assassination. " Of the dealings with the flats he said: "I did not seek anything in return, although I remain appreciative of the later, innocent advice given to me, by Cherie. At no time did she seek to interfere with the legal processes, nor did I ask her to." He added: "Could it be that I had to be discredited by the establishment?" He went on: "No one has ever lost money through my enterprises . . . I know I am a flawed man, but I do not believe I am a bad man."
- (PA)