Blair branded 'horribly incestuous' for his links with French billionaire - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been branded 'horribly incestuous' by his critic for his close relationship with French billionaire Bernard Arnault. Blair also faces fresh questions about his relationship with Arnault during his time as Prime Minister, after it was reported that he is to take up an advisory role with Arnault's firm Louis Vuitton. A source close to Blair has confirmed that he in the final stages of negotiating a deal with Louis Vuitton, which he is expected to begin working for later this year. "There is an agreement in principle, but nothing has been signed yet. Blair won't be joining the board, but he will be acting in an advisory role, working very closely with Arnault," The Telegraph quoted a source close to Blair, as saying. "In particular, his job is likely to involve attracting new clients," he added. One of the most outspoken critics of Blair has been Liberal Democrat frontbencher Norman Lamb, who said that the arrangement looks horribly incestuous and suggested parliamentary rules on former ministers' employment needed to be tightened. "This leaves an extremely unpleasant taste in the mouth about what all this is about. In a democracy there needs to be clearer, stronger rules to prevent this sort of generous financial support, both in office and shortly after leaving office," Lamb said "If a minister knows that by maintaining a close friendship while in office they stand to benefit when they leave office, that compromises government, and we all know that there have been plenty of concerns recently about the way parliament operates," he added. According to reports, Blair is expected to be paid a six-figure sum by the firm for his part-time role, which will be his third consultancy with a major international company.