Blair silent on MMR jab

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has defended his refusal to reveal whether his 19-month-old son Leo has been given the controversial MMR vaccine.

Blair voiced his strongest support yet for the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, however, saying he and his wife, Cherie, did not believe it was dangerous.

British Government policy is to recommend parents allow their children to have the injection, but the Blairs are fiercely protective of their four children's privacy and have refused to respond to challenges by MPs and the media.

Blair said: "The suggestion that the Government is advising parents to have the MMR jab whilst we are deliberately refraining from giving our child the treatment because we know it is dangerous, is offensive beyond belief."