Caplin timebomb for Blairs

Daily Mail

Tony and Cherie Blair are facing a ticking timebomb as Carole Caplin warned that she was thinking of writing her memoirs.

Friends said it had become "increasingly likely" after the Blairs banned her from visiting Downing Street that she would describe her 11-year relationship with them in a book - earning a probable £1 million.

Following Saturday's Daily Mail report that the couple were working on a "strategy" to end their association with her, Cherie Blair phoned Miss Caplin to reassure her their friendship remains intact.

But her soothing words appeared to have had little impact after Miss Caplin's agent confirmed that she is considering offers from publishers and TV companies for "various" projects.

If the Blairs are unable to persuade the 41-year-old former topless model not to go public, they could face a lengthy legal battle to gag her through the courts.

She has the potential not only to embarrass the Blairs, over whom she has had a huge influence, but also to cause massive political damage.

A book could reveal what Miss Caplin knows about sensitive subjects including:

  • Whether son Leo had the MMR jab - a question which the Blairs have always refused to answer;

  • What the Prime Minister discussed with her during weekly massage sessions and late-night phone calls to her flat;

  • The subjects on which Cherie wanted advice when she asked Miss Caplin's mother Sylvia to consult the spirit world on her behalf;

  • The naked showers Miss Caplin is said to have shared with Mrs Blair, during which she scrubbed "toxins" from her friend to release "sexual energy" (which Mrs Blair denies);

  • The truth about the Cheriegate affair and Mrs Blair's dealings with conman Peter Foster;

  • The Blair children - Miss Caplin has watched all four growing up and was holidaying in Portugal with Cherie when eldest son Euan was found drunk in Leicester Square by police. The Blairs are particularly protective of their children's privacy, and would be horrified if there were any suggestion that it was to be compromised;

  • Mr Blair's relationship with his closest colleagues, including Gordon Brown. Miss Caplin is said to have witnessed ferocious ill-tempered exchanges between the two men, known to be at loggerheads.

    She is also likely to possess pictures of the Blairs taken off-guard during private moments in Downing Street and Chequers.

    One source said yesterday: "Carole Caplin has been at the Blairs' side since before Tony was made Labour leader. She has witnessed at first hand every major event in their public and private lives, ranging from political crises to the birth of their youngest child. She even accompanies them on holiday.

    "It goes without saying that there will be an awful lot of material which the Blairs would be desperate to keep private - no one knows just how damaging some of her recollections may be.

    "Carole hasn't come to any decisions yet about her future - she is waiting until the dust settles, and she is also trying to work out what the long-term nature of her relationship with the Blairs is going to be. But it has become increasingly likely she will write a book - it's just a question of when."

    Her agent said: "A lot of options are being considered. She has offers from three major TV companies and talks are going on which will continue this week and next.

    "There is also a lot of interest from publishers on the table."

    As well as making £1million from the book, it is thought Miss Caplin could double that figure with TV interviews and speaking engagements.

    • Most watched News videos