Tony Blair To Promote Ardbeg

[John]

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, fresh from the Chilcott Enquiry on the Iraq war, is anticipated to become an adviser to LVMH.

The former British Prime Minister, a friend of LVMH boss Bernard Arnault, is now free to pursue other commitments having been passed over for the EU presidency in November.

Even if he already advises JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N) and Zurich Financial (ZURN.VX), Blair has long been discussing the possibility of turning his friendship into a business relationship with LVMH, one of the sources close the luxury group said.

The luxury goods group LVMH stands for Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon and Hennessy. The French group also owns single malt whisky brands Glenmorangie and Ardbeg.

Meanwhile, some British politicians have already jumped on the news, reported in Sunday papers, to attack Blair.

"If a minister knows that by maintaining a close friendship while in office they stand to benefit when they leave office, that compromises government," Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb said about Blair.

"And we all know that there have been plenty of concerns recently about the way parliament operates."

Blair's spokesman was not immediately available for comment and LVMH declined to comment.

John