Blair paid friend to help with his image

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The Scotland Yard chief asked skiing partner Andy Miller to advise him on how to succeed when he took over as Britain's top officer three years ago.

Mr Miller's company gave the then Deputy Met Commissioner advice on communications, leadership and the key messages he should be telling Londoners. No other company was invited to bid for the so-called "vanity contract", understood to be worth more than £15,000.

Details of the image make-over deal surfaced during an inquiry into a series of contracts worth more than £3 million awarded by the Met to Mr Miller's company, Impact Plus, over six years.

The awarding of contracts to Mr Miller, a close friend of Sir Ian for 30 years, is being examined by a team of officers led by HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan. It is understood that Sir Ian's predecessor, Sir John Stevens was unaware of the arrangement.

A source said: "You could say it was about advising him on how to enhance his image. Given what has happened since, you can't help thinking it was a waste of money."

Legal experts say that given Sir Ian's relationship with Mr Miller, there should have been at least two other bidders.

Sir Ronnie's investigation was launched in July, days after it was revealed that a £150,000 Scotland Yard contract had been awarded to Mr Miller's firm - despite a rival bid three times lower.