Blair attempting to escape scrutiny over his inaction - ICC

The International Cricket Council today rejected Tony Blair's attempt to escape scrutiny over his government's policy towards Zimbabwe by pressuring the ICC to make a political decision.

ICC President Ehsan Mani said that it was no surprise that a politician would take this course.

"It is disappointing but unsurprising that a politician should attempt to shift the blame in this way.

"Mr Blair is seeking to divert attention away from his own inaction in dealing with Zimbabwe by attempting to exert inappropriate pressure on an international sporting body to make a political decision.

"At no stage has he or any of his people sought to get the facts on this matter from the ICC.

"It is difficult to accept the proposition that the ICC should be making a special case for England when not even the England and Wales Cricket Board has attempted to argue that it be exempted from its promise to tour Zimbabwe unless it is unsafe to do so.

"Unfortunately, the one consistent aspect of Mr Blair's approach to Zimbabwe has been its inconsistency.

"His government maintains diplomatic links with Zimbabwe, allows British companies to invest heavily in and trade openly with Zimbabwe, and welcomes athletes representing Zimbabwe to the UK.

"Given that this issue has been on his radar for more than 18 months it appears that his intransigence on Zimbabwe is now linked in some way to his overwhelming desire to secure the Olympics for London."

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