How Blair stayed cool at spliff time in rock star's smoke-filled room

[kskiska]

As great leaders know only too well, it is best to never be seen in the proximity of an oddly-rolled cigarette. Denials that you ever inhaled are also compulsory.

So when the sweet smell of marijuana reached the prime ministerial nostrils at dinner one evening, Tony Blair could have been forgiven for racing from the room.

But, as the source of the smoke, film director Robert Altman, reveals in today's Weekend magazine, the relaxed prime minister did no such thing.

Sitting opposite Altman, Mr Blair, who once said the one thing his father "drummed into" him was "never to take drugs", continued to enjoy an intimate meal with some of his rock'n'roll idols.

The man Altman referred to as "the London dude" was more lead guitarist for Ugly Rumours than prime minister while dining at Dave Stewart's house during his first term as leader.

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http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,9061,1207459,00.html