Blair relents on holiday snap ban

LONDON (Reuters) -- UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has relented on his decision to cancel the media's regular holiday photo opportunity with his family.

On Monday, Blair's spokesman said an established deal where the Blairs posed for a holiday picture for the press on the condition they were then left alone, was off this year.

Blair was irritated after newspapers published unauthorized snaps of his baby Leo's christening over the weekend.

But late Tuesday, an official from Blair's Downing Street Office said there would be an organized photo shoot with the whole family early next week.

"It is clear the media would like an organized photo call," a Downing Street spokeswoman told Reuters. "The prime minister and Mrs Blair are happy to do this provided...they can then continue their holiday in private."

Government sources said a photo black-out could have caused an onslaught of paparazzi intrusion. Both parents and all four children will be available to be snapped.

The Blairs head off for a three-week break next weekend, dividing their time, as last year, between Italy and France.

They have jealously guarded the privacy of their other three children, Euan, 16, Nicky, 14, and Kathryn, 12, and aim to do the same with Leo, who was born on May 20.

Newspapers ran the photographs over the weekend of Blair carrying baby Leo to a church for his christening, despite warnings by his office that they wanted it kept private.

The Blairs contacted Britain's media watchdog, the Press Complaints Commission (PCC), seeking guidance about how to ensure privacy for their children in future.

They thanked PCC head Lord Wakeham for negotiating with the media, both about their forthcoming holiday and longer-term issues about protecting their children from the constant glare of publicity.

Leo Blair was christened in a Roman Catholic church in Blair's Sedgefield constituency in northeast England on Saturday.

Photographed in his smiling father's arms, he was bundled up in a long white christening dress.

The PCC, which can censure newspapers under an industry self-regulation agreement, stipulates in its code that children can only be photographed with parental consent.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Blair cancels photo opportunity following christening row
August 1, 2000

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