By Trevor Mason,
Tony Blair came under fire from one of his former ministers today for failing to meet the Dalai Lama during his UK visit.
At Commons question time, the Prime Minister denied that it was due to pressure from China that he was unable to meet Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader.
The issue was raised by ex-minister for sport, Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) who suggested Mr Blair could surely spare 30 minutes to talk to him.
“Would you like to give a formal welcome to the visit this week of the Dalai Lama,” she said.
“Given that you have known for some six months that the Dalai Lama is visiting, are you really telling us you couldn’t find half an hour in your timetable during the next week to meet him.
“Is it because you have been told not to (meet him) by the Chinese?”
Mr Blair replied: “No it isn’t. I’ve actually met the Dalai Lama on previous occasions. I’ll be very happy to meet him again on subsequent occasions.
“As for the issue of Tibet, which is a matter of concern to MPs on all sides of the House, this is an issue we raise constantly with the Chinese – most recently on the visit of Premier Wen, when we had a significant and long discussion on Tibet.”
