Blair returns to quake criticism

Aid is being stepped up to those left homeless by the tragedy

Tony Blair has returned to Downing Street amid criticism for failing to end his holiday in Egypt early to deal with the Asian tsunami crisis.

The father of a 23-year-old who is missing, presumed dead, has accused Mr Blair of "losing the plot".

And both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders say they probably would have flown back early.

But Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Mr Blair had been directly involved in decisions and in regular contact.

The massive relief programme is gathering pace in the disaster-hit region, where almost 140,000 are confirmed dead.

Forty British nationals have been confirmed dead and the Metropolitan Police say another 159 are "highly likely" to have been victims.

I have not seen a single suggestion of a single piece of action that the British Government could and should have taken had Mr Blair come back which we have not in any event taken Foreign Secretary Jack Straw

During his holiday the prime minister told Channel 4 News the crisis was a "global catastrophe".

On his return, No 10 said he had gone straight into talks with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who has chaired the committee coordinating the government's efforts.

Alan Jones, who presumes his 23-year-old daughter Charlotte has died in the disaster, attacked Mr Blair's decision not to return early from Sharm el-Sheikh.

He told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: "What on earth was he doing hiding in Sharm? I couldn't believe that when I heard it."

Mr Jones said his wife, Elizabeth, was "very angry" she had received no help from the UK Government during her search for her daughter in Thailand.

The foreign secretary said he was sorry to hear of Mr Jones' experience and would offer an apology if it was due.

But he defended the prime minister, whom he said had been directly involved in decisions.

Charles Kennedy said he would have returned from holiday

Mr Blair had spoken to Mr Prescott twice a day and regularly contacted other ministers, Mr Straw said.

"I have not seen a single suggestion of a single piece of action that the British Government could and should have taken had Mr Blair come back which we have not in any event taken," he added.

Mr Straw said the UK was "almost certain" to match to match the £60m of public donations - it has already pledged £50m.

"The crucial issue is to ensure it is spent as quickly as possible," he added.

Earlier, Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy acknowledged prime ministers could now work from almost anywhere but said he would have returned from holiday.

He suggested ministers had been "playing catch up" in their response to the disaster.

He contrasted the reaction to the way Mr Blair had crystallised public feelings after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The scale of the disaster demands unique sensitivity and initiative Shadow international development secretary Alan Duncan

Mr Kennedy said the UK had to send the right signals as it took over the chairmanship of the G8 group of the world's most industrialised countries.

He added: "If we are seen in any sense to be sluggish in our approach to the crisis that is going to make if more difficult to... move up the agenda this whole question of protection and warning systems, as well as subsequent aid delivery systems."

The Conservatives have welcomed the government's promise of extra help to families searching for relatives and repatriating their remains.

Shadow international development secretary Alan Duncan said: "The scale of the disaster demands unique sensitivity and initiative."