Tony Blair with Kyu-Sun Choi who has reportedly served a two-year prison sentence for corruption
Tony Blair faced fresh embarrassment over his secret dealings with a South Korean oil firm last night after reports the company's chief executive served two years in prison for corruption.
Kyu-Sun Choi, chairman and chief executive of UI Energy Corporation, was said to have been convicted of making illegal payments to influence the awarding of contracts to run a national lottery.
Following his release, Mr Choi, 49, is alleged to have been involved in a separate case of financial impropriety surrounding claims he tried to buy his company a place in an oil exploration consortium in Iraq.The report appeared in the online service of Korean newspaper JoonAng Daily.
It will be an embarrassment for Mr Blair, who is believed to have been personally recruited by Mr Choi to carry out a secret advisory role for the oil firm, which now has extensive interests in Iraq.
The revelations came as it emerged the former prime minister is to play a key role in Labour's election campaign.
Party strategists have asked Mr Blair to make a series of interventions in the run up to polling day in the hope he can persuade floating voters who backed Labour in 1997 to return.
His involvement is expected to include at least one high-profile appearance with Gordon Brown.
Some senior Labour figures fear the move could backfire because of Mr Blair's unpopularity as a result of the Iraq War.
Those fears are likely to be heightened by the latest reports about the former premier's business dealings, which are believed to have earned him at least £ 20million since leaving office in 2007.
Last week it emerged Mr Blair had cut a secret deal to advise UI Energy in 2008.
The Mail told on Friday how details of the deal and his fee remain secret and how its very existence was made public only after the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments lost patience with Mr Blair's continued demands for secrecy.
The committee, which vets the jobs of former ministers, also revealed Mr Blair had struck a £1million deal to advise the Kuwaiti royal family.
Mr Blair is believed to have been offered the UI Energy deal after meeting Mr Choi in the United States.
A spokesman said the former prime minister had 'no knowledge' of the allegations against Mr Choi. He added: 'Mr Blair met Mr Choi briefly in late July 2008.'
Yesterday it also emerged that Mr Blair's sideline in public speaking is going from strength to strength.
He will earn more than £200,000 addressing conferences in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur next month about how to be a success and make money.
For £5,000, VIP guests can have their picture taken with Mr Blair and 'engage in a dialogue' with him over lunch.
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