Blair ignores Chirac's vinous gifts

LONDON, July 25 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has refused to ransom four lots of wine, gifts from French President Jacques Chirac, a report says.

The Times of London said there are several possible reasons for Blair ignoring the wine, which remains in government custody.

One is frugality. Under British rules, government officials must pay the cost of gifts they receive if they want them for personal use. Three years ago, when Blair did take possession of a half-case of 1989 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Chirac sent him as a 50th birthday present, it set him back 1,000 pounds or about $1,840.

Then again, Blair and Chirac do not get on very well, with disagreements on everything from European agricultural subsidies to the Iraq war. Blair is also not a big fan of French wine, preferring Chianti, The Times said.

Blair did ransom a lead crystal vase from former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as well as coins from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Blair's putative successor and chancellor of the exchequer, the stingy Gordon Brown, has accepted only one gift. That was a pedal-powered child-sized red Ferrari from former Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti.