On Wednesday, the former prime minister, who is said to have amassed a £50 million fortune since leaving office, was paid the staggering sum for two 30-minute speaking events over two days, at which he discussed global affairs.

Blair’s work as a Middle East “peace envoy” is unpaid but this latest trip to Dubai was as guest of honor of Arabian Business magazine to mark its business achievement awards.

A source said he was being paid a $250,000 fee, around £157,000. That means more than £2,600 per minute, according to a report in the Gulf News.

In addition, the source said his eight-man team was being put up in the finest Dubai hotels and entertained with no expense spared.

A spokesman for Blair refused to comment on his fee, adding: “He does not have an ‘eight-strong entourage’. He is travelling with his wife and one member of staff and his usual security team.”

Blair and former US President George W. Bush hatched a plot to send troops in 2003 in order to occupy oil-rich Iraq, where was under Dictator Saddam Hussein, based on unproven claim that Baghdad had chemical stockpiles.

NTJ/SHI