Blair appeals for support in peerage flap

LONDON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair appealed for public sympathy over the cash-for-peerages scandal Friday and said defiantly he would not step down.

But, he insisted, "I'm not going to beg," the Daily Mail reported.

In an emotional radio interview, Blair urged the public not to believe media reports he had been involved in a coverup, but said he would not plead with anyone about his integrity.

Blair has said he planned to step down later this year. He said Friday he had some things he wanted to do before he does leave office, indicating he wanted to remain on the job until after the European Union summit in June, the Daily Mail report said.