Tony Blair sought to avoid reports of ‘snuggling up’ to Berlusconi, files show

Envoy urged No 10 to exploit opportunities presented by tycoon's premiership while holding our noses', archives reveal

Tony Blair sought to avoid unwelcome headlines suggesting he was snuggling up" to Silvio Berlusconi by not inviting media lobby correspondents to a UK-Italy summit in Rome, newly released documents reveal.

Before the February 2002 bilateral, Britain's ambassador to Rome, John Shepherd, told the government it had a real opportunity" to exploit the Italian prime minister's orientations in Europe in support of UK interests, holding our noses and staying alert to the risks as we do".