Tony Blair’s fund raiser suspected for fixing papal honours
April 3rd, 2011 - 3:40 pm ICT by ANILondon, Apr 3 (ANI): Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s key fundraiser Anthony Bailey has been accused of offering papal knighthoods in return for charity donations.
Bailey encouraged wealthy businessmen, including a controversial Iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi, convicted of fraud and bribery, to support a charity run by a Vatican ambassador Archbishop Sbarbaro, with the power to make nominations for the honour.
Auchi agreed to back Sbarbaro’s projects in the Balkans, and was subsequently made a knight of the order of Pope Saint Sylvester for his support.
Another controversial figure, Iranian-born car dealer Mahmoud Khayami, also received the honour after making a donation, The Daily Mail reports.
Khayami, a friend of Blair, made headlines in 2007 when he gave 830,000 pounds to the Labour Party, more than half of it only 24 hours after he joined the electoral roll.
Third wealthy donor, Steven Wilkinson, said Bailey had dropped hints that he would receive a papal knighthood for the donation. He said Bailey told him: ‘Eugenio can arrange for you to be issued with a particular honour.’
Auchi and Khayami were among a group of businessmen given papal knighthoods in 2004 by Archbishop Sbarbaro after donating tens of thousands of pounds. All were recruited by Bailey
Papal knighthoods are among the highest honours the Pope can bestow.
The recent disclosures follow revelations that senior priest Father Michael Seed fixed papal honours for donations. (ANI)
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