Bomb threat at Cherie charity event

Cherie Blair was due to speak at the event

The prime minister's wife Cherie Blair was forced to pull out of a London charity event following the threat of a suicide bomb attack.

She was due to speak at an annual charity event at The Dorchester on Park Lane but the hotel received an anonymous phone call from an "Arab sounding" man an hour before Mrs Blair was due to attend.

Britain's former ambassador to the US, Sir Christopher Meyer explained Mrs Blair's absence to the 220 guests, including the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, in The Dorchester ballroom.

He said that anyone who felt "nervous" following the threat should also leave.

The annual charity dinner was in aid of Pact (Parents and Abducted Children Together) founded by Sir Christopher's wife, Lady Catherine Meyer.

Lady Catherine, who organised the event, said: "The detectives in charge of Cherie's security decided it may be too dangerous for her to come.

The Dorchester Hotel was hosting the event

"We told the guests we completely understand if you want to leave.

"In fact everybody decided they were there for a children's charity event and they all wanted to stay.

"It was a shame Cherie could not come.

"She has been an amazing supporter of Pact, but we completely understand that she must listen to her security people."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said police were not prepared to discuss "matters of security."