Beckett: Sleazy leaders stick together

"What I would certainly not dispute is that, on what people tend to call loosely the Arab Street, Britain's standing has been affected by the events of recent years.

"But when it comes to the governments, the negotiators, the people who are trying to do deals, the people who are trying to bring things together, the people who want advice and support and so on, Tony Blair's influence continues to be substantial.

"That is why he is there, because people want to talk to him and they want him to talk to them." Link