Payback

I was wondering when Tony Blair would get his payoff for joining the coalition of the willing in Iraq. After all, allowing the President a thin layer of political cover, and sending British soldiers into hostile territory (and not even achieving safety at home as a result) had to be worth something, right?

Right:

TONY Blair is expected to join one of the most exclusive groups of businessmen in the world after he leaves Downing Street.

The PM is being lined up for a highly lucrative position with the Carlyle Group - an American-based investment giant with strong links to the White House and the defence industry.

The firm has been nicknamed "The Ex-Presidents Club" because it has had a host of former world leaders on its books including George Bush Senior, his former secretary of state James Baker and former British PM John Major. There are also a large number of former US Army top brass.

The job could net Mr Blair up to £500,000 a year for only a few days work a month giving speeches and making "networking" trips on behalf of the company.

A-ha. So now we know.