Cherie may face inquiry for 'cashing in' on name [View All]

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Cherie may face inquiry for 'cashing in' on name
By Brendan Carlin and George Jones
(Filed: 04/08/2005)

Accusations that Cherie Blair has been "cashing in" on her husband's position are likely to lead to an inquiry into the conduct of the spouses of ministers.

Sir Alistair Graham, the chairman of the committee on standards in public life, announced yesterday that he favoured reviewing the ministerial code of conduct after Conservative complaints against Mrs Blair.

Chris Grayling, the shadow leader of the Commons, had accused Mrs Blair of exploiting her position by accepting payment for speaking about her role as the Prime Minister's wife.

In June, she earned a reported £20,000 for a lecture in Washington that coincided with Mr Blair meeting President George W Bush.

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