Fresh claims have emerged that Cherie Blair knew more about convicted fraudster Peter Foster's past than she has acknowledged.

The Prime Minister's wife has denied knowledge of the details of his criminal history until the police warning at the end of last month that a newspaper was trying to set her up in a meeting with him.

But an article in the Scotsman claims that the she had reviewed both the court papers prepared by Mr Foster's lawyers and the official Treasury Solicitor papers demanding extradition.

Quoting unnamed legal sources, the paper alleges that she also advised Mr Foster and his girlfriend Carole Caplin, a friend and adviser of Mrs Blair, on the probable attitude of the judge hearing his appeal.

A Downing Street spokeswoman would not comment on the claims.