Cherie Blair attends launch for some "smiler" stamps

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Cherie Blair attends launch for Royal Mail stamps 'dedicated' to Indian businessman (which anyone can have their face on for £8)

She is known for hobnobbing with the rich and famous, but even for Cherie Blair it was a glamorous ceremony too far.

The former Prime Minister's wife accepted an invitation to attend the unveiling of stamps 'dedicated' to Indian billionaire Subrata Roy.

The event also featured Commons Speaker Jon Bercow, who was called upon to give an address praising his host.

Guests: Cherie Blair and Commons speaker Jon Bercow were among guests at the reception to celebrate the stamps 'dedicated' to Subrata Roy

However, when the stamps were unveiled in the plush surroundings of London's Grosvenor House hotel, guests began to realise that not was all it seemed.

It later emerged that the images of Sahara Group owner could have been placed on the stamps for as little as £8.30 for a set of 10.

In invitations to the event, guests were told by Mr Roy's wife Swapna: 'It is a great honour to my husband... that a postal stamp is being issued in his name by the Royal Mail of the United Kingdom.'

A number of images of the businessman who owns the Indian Premier League Pune Warriors cricket team were revealed to the 60 guests, including Labour donor Lord Paul.

Mr Roy then said: 'I don't have voice to express my heartfelt gratitude to Royal Mail for issuing the special stamp.

'I don't think I deserve it. I will try to come up to the expectation of such a great honour.'

The stamps can in fact be bought online via the Royal Mail's website and are known as 'Smilers'.

In advert for them, it says: 'You can add that extra personal touch to your letters and cards by creating your very own photo-stamps with Smilers.

'You can choose any of the stamps from our extensive range.

'We’ve got a wide selection of stamps available to suit all occasions, perfect for greetings and birthday cards, wedding and party invitations as well as thank you cards. They also make great gifts!'

It is believed the stamps were bought through an agent in India, and Sahara Group purchased a total of 10,000, the Sunday Times reported.

A spokesman for the company said: 'These unique sheets commemorate and celebrate the achievements of the company and Mr Roy personally as a promoter of Indian sport and having created a family company of one million people.

'Mr Roy thanked the Royal Mail for the production of the special sheet and is deeply honoured by the devotion and dedication of the family who wanted to dedicate this special editon sheet to him.

Mrs Blair was unavailable for comment but Mr Bercow's office said in a statement: 'A friend invited the Speaker along to the event.

'He went for half an hour during which he was asked on the importance of British-Indian relations.'

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[Straight4ward]

'Large envelope' needed?

cherie.jpg

Should frighten the f**k out of the kids.

[pants123]

cherie blair needs to try a park and loop delivery, see how slavery feels... but no she has a dinner to attend to, no expense spared........ living thier lavish life style,, while we suffer.....

[Lounge Lizard]

Time and time again they are described as 'stamps' when they are just labels attached to stamps.

[blue1873]

'Large envelope' needed?

cherie.jpg

Should frighten the f**k out of the kids.

Frighten the f**k out the dog as well
good chance of Rover being bitten if he takes
a sniff of any mail with that coupon on it