Guman Stopped Near Blair's Home

An Albanian man has been accused of possessing a loaded weapon outside the London home of former prime minister Tony Blair.

Kutjim Nurka, 56, was stopped in his car by officers patrolling Connaught Street on Monday night.

He was held by police on several alleged driving offences, however, a members of the public is believed to have alerted police to a loaded pistol and silencer found in a gutter close by.

A uniformed officer notified members of the Diplomatic Protection Group, who protect Mr Blair.

Mr Nurka, of Danes Court, Wembley, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with possession of a firearm.

The accused was remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 12 February.

Mr Blair bought the four-storey Grade II listed house in the prestigious Connaugh Square in 2004.

Connaught Street forms one side of Connaught Square, which is close to Marble Arch in the capital's West End.

A spokesman for the former PM said he was in Washington DC at the time. It is not known if any other member of the Blair family were inside the residence on Monday evening.

The Blairs' police protection team, which is a larger detail than that of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, costs the taxpayer around £2m a year.

(PR/BMcc)