Tony Blair's father Leo dies at 89
Leo Blair, the father of former prime minister Tony Blair and well-known Shropshire figure, has died at the age of 89.
Published
Tony Blair pulled out of hosting an event with former US president Bill Clinton last night because his father, who has a house in Shrewsbury but has reportedly been living in a nursing home recently, had been taken ill.
Mr Blair Snr had a severe stroke when he was in his late thirties which cut short a promising career as a barrister. Formerly a lifelong Tory supporter, he joined the Monkmoor branch of the Labour Party in 1995.
It is thought his opposition to the Government's rail privatisation was a major factor. His wife Olwen, Tony Blair's step-mother, passed away earlier this year.
