1999 Cabinet Office Files: Polish PM Rejected Blair’s Complaints About Roma Asylum Seekers

The National Archives has released a number of Cabinet Office files, including dozens from Sir Tony Blair’s Labour government in 1999 and 2000.

Former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair in Washington on March 26, 2023. Andrew Biraj/AFP/Getty Images

Cabinet Office files, released by the National Archives, have revealed Sir Tony Blair and the Polish prime minister had a spat in 1999 over the issue of people from the Roma community in Poland claiming asylum in Britain.

On Sep. 21, 1999 Sir Tony wrote to Poland’s Prime Minister, Jerzy Buzek, telling him: “I am writing to share with you my concern at the increase in the number of asylum seekers from Poland ... I am sure you find it as frustrating as I do that we should have to face this problem.”