Tony Blair is in talks about a commercial alliance with one of the most highly paid bankers in the world.
The combination would bring together Michael Klein’s unrivalled contacts in global finance with the former Prime Minister’s relationships in politics and government, particularly in the Middle East.
The discussions, which could lead to a merger of their companies, highlight Mr Blair’s ambitions for his commercial operations, which generate millions of pounds a year from advising governments and companies around the world.
Mr Blair’s office declined to comment, but people briefed on the talks said they had been going on for some months. “It would be a powerful combination though it would be a challenge to have two such big personalities in one firm, to say