Blair apologises to Britons caught up in Katrina
Prime Minister Tony Blair has apologised to Britons caught up in Hurricane Katrina who complained of a lack of support from Foreign Office officials.
Blair insisted diplomats had been working round the clock to try to help stranded UK citizens and some were now operating inside New Orleans.
In Beijing, where he is holding trade talks, Blair said “It’s been really tough for people, I know that, but it’s been tough for our officials on the ground.
“Overnight we have got people there in New Orleans for the first time, actually people to be on the spot and handle this.”
Blair said he expected the numbers of Britons unaccounted for to fall from the current total of about 130.
He added: “I’m really sorry if there has been difficulties about this, but I can assure you some of these staff have been working round the clock and because it’s been a very difficult and confused situation it’s been difficult for them, the staff, as well as the people for whom this has been a catastrophe.”
