Blair buys his own mobile phone

Tony Blair has taken ownership of his first ever mobile phone, it was revealed today.

Mr Blair, who became British prime minister in 1997, picked up a special Red handset which benefits charities during a trip to his Sedgefield constituency yesterday.

Downing Street sources confirmed that it was the first mobile he has owned personally. He is thought to have been issued with a Government phone on coming to power, but has not used it.

According to The Sun, Mr Blair used the mobile at his home in Trimdon Colliery, Co Durham, to call Love Actually director Richard Curtis and discuss issues such as Darfur and Comic Relief.

The Red Motorola handsets – championed by U2 front man Bono – guarantee that 5% of the cost of every call and text goes to the Global Fund for eradicating Aids in Africa, no matter what network you are using.