[Hmm, seems the return of the repressed, or whatever, is breaking out all over the Third Way.]
Blair's son arrested for being drunk
Thursday July 6, 2000 The Guardian
Tony Blair's 16-year-old son Euan was arrested last night for being drunk and incapable.
The teenager was found by police officers in Leicester Square, in the heart of London's west end, on his own at about 11pm. A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed a 16-year-old youth was arrested by officers for being drunk and incapable in Leicester Square and was released this morning without charge.
The affair will be a huge embarrassment for the prime minister, coming days after his call for police to be given powers to levy on-the-spot fines on drunken youths.
An ambulance was called to Leicester Square at 11pm last night after a police officer came across a teenager in a "drunk and incapable" state, police said.
Paramedics decided there was no need for first aid or hospital treatment and the youth was taken to nearby Charing Cross police station, where officers established he was Mr Blair's oldest son. He was released without charge and driven home early this morning and was said to be unhurt.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "A male youth was arrested at 23.00 last night in Leicester Square for being drunk and incapable.
"Police were not responding to a call regarding the person, an officer on patrol just came upon him."
"The options are now that he could be brought back and issued with a formal warning or he could be cautioned," said the Yard spokeswoman.
"Both of those are options open to police but at this time neither of them have happened."
Mr Blair and his wife Cherie have gone to great lengths to protect the privacy of their children - Euan, Nicky, 14, Kathryn, 12, and baby Leo.
But it is understood Mr Blair accepts in principle that news of Euan's arrest would have to be disclosed.
The press complaints commission, the watchdog which supervises press conduct, also indicated it was satisfied the matter should be reported.
No 10 is expected to make an official statement later today. Lord Wakeham, chairman of the PCC, is also set to make a statement later this morning on the wider issues raised by the case.
[end]
Carl
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