Blair's black eye at awards event

Tony Blair suffered a "gym-related accident"

Tony Blair was sporting a black eye as he accepted an award earlier, after a "gym-related accident".

The former PM made no mention of it as he accepted a medal for work with India from his old ally Lord Mandelson.

He said Mr Blair had been "committed to India" and understood the "dramatic way" its role had changed in 20 years.

Mr Blair, who had a rowing machine installed in Downing Street when he became prime minister, is a well known gym enthusiast.

He was presented with the Fenner Brockway medal in London on Friday.

Barry Gardiner, the Labour MP who chairs Labour's Friends of India, said Mr Blair had recognised, on becoming PM, that Britain's relationship with India had become "too comfortable and unproductive".

He said he had changed it from one based on "old sentimentality" to one based on a "shared vision of modern and equal trading partners".