Newly released documents show former British prime minister Tony Blair triggered a change in policy to allow tobacco advertising at the British grand prix.

The documents contradict claims at the time that a meeting with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone in 1997 had no influence on the country's decision to allow formula one an exemption from the ban of tobacco advertising.

A letter from the prime minister's office, sent to then health minister Tessa Jowell the day after the meeting, states that "the prime minister would like your ministers to look for ways of finding a permanent derogation for sport, in particular F1".

Ecclestone and Blair, now a UN envoy on the Middle East, were also linked at the time to a sizeable donation from the 77-year-old to Blair's ruling political party. The donation was hastily refunded upon revelation by the press.

Source: GMM