Originally from: Molly Maxwell
                        
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Originally from: "Ananova" <533...>
To: Molly Maxwell <...>
Subject: Blair asks for discount at Cornish hotel – Ananova Alerting Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 07:07:40 GMT

A managing director at a hotel in Cornwall says Downing Street asked for a discount when Tony Blair stayed.

The four-star Nare Hotel in Veryan-in-Roseland, Truro, was asked by Downing Street if they could offer a reduced rate on a £235-a-night suite.

Mr Blair, his wife Cherie and their four children instead chose to stay at the four-star Carlyon Bay hotel in St Austell.

Toby Ashworth, the Nare's managing director told The Daily Telegraph: "The whole business was incredibly badly handled considering the Prime Minister was on a public relations jaunt to an area affected by foot and mouth disease.

"How dare he ask for discounts in the height of the season."

The Carlyon Bay refused to comment on whether it offered Mr Blair a discount, the newspaper reports. A Downing Street spokesman refused to be drawn on the Blairs' holiday arrangements.

*Foot-and-mouth – All stories story sent by Ananova