Downing Street Xmas card mystery deepens

The security services may be called in to try to solve the mysterious appearance of child-like figures on the official Downing Street Christmas cards being sent out by prime minister Tony Blair and his retiring wife Cherie.

The couple — who jealously guard the privacy of their offspring — have expressed bafflement at the photo which appears on the card, copies of which will be sent to more than 50,000 international movers and shakers. As well as Mr and Mrs Booth, there are apparently several children in the picture. Who they are is a matter for fevered rumour and speculation in the media.

"Your guess is as good as mine," said a relaxed-looking Prime Minister as he sipped a mulled wine at his Tuscan holiday cottage. "I've no idea who they might be. They must be someone's kids, but the level of cynicism required to parade those kids in front of the camera just to curry a bit a favour with the voters beggars belief."

However, Cherie Blair's tearful appearance on television last night fuelled speculation that the children were none other than her own. "I admit I made mistakes," she sobbed. "But what mother trying to protect her son during his first year at university wouldn't have done the same? I admit, I shouldn't have trusted a photographer I hardly knew, and one who had several convictions for recording images on film, but..." At this point Mrs Blair fled the podium pausing only to collect a well-earned Bafta from fawning thespo Simon Callow.

Speaking later to Hello magazine in her luxury Bristol flat, Cherie confirmed that next year she would let her friend, political adviser and sex guru Carole Caplin choose the family's Christmas cards. "She's the only person I can trust," she confided.