Blair opts for French energy firm

Mr Blair said the energy trade needed to be international

Electricity for Number 10 Downing Street is supplied by a French company, Tony Blair has revealed.

The prime minister, attending an EU summit in Brussels, said open energy markets reduced prices and were "good for business and consumers".

Downing Street's water came from a German company, while four firms - three of which were foreign-owned - supplied the gas, Mr Blair added.

Number 10 declined to name any of the firms, for commercial reasons.

Mr Blair warned at the summit that "economic nationalism" was on the rise in some countries.

Liberalisation

This was causing them to defend public sector industries from cross-border mergers and takeovers, he said.

He added: "Liberalised energy markets and more open markets are good for business and for consumers right across Europe.

"This argument is being won by those who want to open up to liberalisation."

But the French firm used by Mr Blair might not make as much money as it would like - earlier this month, a low-energy light bulb was installed in the lantern over the door of Number 10.