Tony Blair gets the Madonna treatment

Although he left Downing Street 18 months ago, Tony Blair (pictured) still enjoys some of the more agreeable privileges of power. The Daily Mail reports that the Knightsbridge branch of Armani let the former Prime Minister do his Christmas shopping at the store out-of-hours last Saturday, an honour usually reserved for the likes of Madonna and Victoria Beckham.

"Blair had the store to himself - it had opened an hour earlier than usual for him," a source told the Daily Mail. "He was with four bodyguards - two outside and two in the store - a personal Armani shopper and a stylist. He looked good and seemed to have lost weight."

The paper claims that Blair, 55, spent several thousand pounds on men's clothing from Armani's 'black label' range, including casual trousers and jackets. And in addition to the personal shopper, he was also advised by his own female stylist, a lady called called Maggie, who pointed out some matching accessories she thought would suit him.

However, no one could accuse Blair of not being aware of the recession and the benefits this offers the shopper. Saturday was the first day of Armani's sale, allowing him first pick of all the reduced items, some of which were reduced by as much as 50 per cent.