Tony Blair penned a letter to the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to thank him for the "excellent co-operation" between the two countries' spy agencies at a time when they were allegedly collaborating in efforts to send UK-based dissidents back to the North African country.
Addressed "Dear Muammar" and signed "Best wishes yours ever, Tony", the missive was sent in 2007 as part of a raft of documents recovered from Libyan government offices following the 2011 revolution which ousted the dictator and pieced together by a team of London lawyers who are bringing damages claims on behalf of a dozen Gaddafi opponents who claim they were targeted by the two countries' agencies.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair (L) chats with Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi as they walk together after talks on the outskirts of Tripoli 25 March 2004.
The letter, reported in The Guardian, was written on April 26, 2007, to inform Gaddafi that the UK was about to fail in its attempts to deport two Libyans allegedly linked to an Islamist opposition organisation, the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).
Blair told Gaddafi: "I trust that you, and your family, are well. With regret, I should let you know that the British government has not been successful in its recent court case here involving deportation to Libya. I am very disappointed by the court's decision."
He added: "I believe it is essential that this decision is not allowed to undermine the effective bilateral co-operation which has developed between the United Kingdom and Libya in recent years. We have made such progress. It is important, for the good of both our peoples, that we continue to do so, not least in the crucial area of counter-terrorism."
He added: "I would like to add a personal word of thanks for your assistance in the matter of deportation. That support - and the excellent co-operation of your officials with their British colleagues - is a tribute to the strength of the bilateral relationship which has grown up between the United Kingdom and Libya. As you know, I am determined to see that partnership develop still further."
The relationship between Libya and the UK had thawed following Gaddafi's decision to abandon weapons of mass destruction, and it is known that the two countries had co-operated on intelligence matters.
A spokesman for Blair said: "There is nothing secret about the fact that the UK and the then Libyan government co-operated in the fight against terrorism. It was public. Or that the then Libyan government gave up their chemical and nuclear weapons programme and that this happened in 2003 after negotiation. At that time the UK was fighting a serious terrorist threat aimed at its people and its soldiers. None of that means the UK Government accepted or condoned torture."
The Guardian said the papers recovered from Libya were now forming the basis of the damages claim being brought by six Libyan men, the widow of a seventh, and five British citizens of Libyan and Somali origin. The newspaper said they are bringing claims against the British government on the basis of the recovered documents, alleging false imprisonment, blackmail, misfeasance in public office and conspiracy to assault.
Earlier this week, Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen demanded new laws be introduced to stop former prime ministers from damaging the reputation of the United Kingdom with their post-Downing Street behaviour. Bridgen said the actions of Tony Blair since he left office in 2007 meant parliament should hold and "urgent debate" into the former Labour leader's commercial and business activities.
The MP for Burton-upon-Trent has tabled a parliamentary motion that calls for a new law to "control, restrict and regulate a former incumbent of No.10 Downing Street in the interest of national security and protecting the reputation of the UK". He added: "It is an essential function of parliament to do its utmost to safeguard and protect the integrity and reputation of the UK, including the conduct of the holder of the highest executive office in the land," the motion adds.