BY THE time the Prime Minister realised that his mug might prove an embarrassment, it was too late.

Pictures of Tony Blair’s “Anthony” cup have circled the globe and been interpreted variously as a sign of vanity, evidence of megalomania or an act of desperation. Even he couldn’t help but balk at his aide’s choice of tea cup.

“It has all sorts of crazy stuff written on this mug,” he said during the interview at Chequers, looking nervously at the Times photographer who had already captured the moment.

The £4.99 mug reveals that the Prime Minister and his namesakes are the “man who’s in charge, [while] others follow your lead”. His magic number is seven, special colour yellow and animal a marabou — an African stork often seen hanging around rubbish dumps.

Downing Street said that cup was a present but could not reveal its source.

Yesterday The Times tracked down the full range, made by the Californian-based Stanley Design, to a Central London branch of Clinton Cards.

In another possible portent, a number of “Anthony” mugs remained on the shelf while the “David” mugs had all gone. Could this be cheering news for David Cameron? Other names still on the shelf include those of Mr Blair’s past political rivals, John (Major) and Michael (Howard).

People called John, among them the Deputy Prime Minister, are apparently highly organised, prudent and wise. “You have an uncanny knack for fixing things,” the mug says.

Gary Parker, from the Character Group, which imported the mugs in 1992, said that they did not bother with “Gordon” mugs because the name was not popular enough.Lesley Everett, a branding expert, said that Mr Blair used it as a “posterboard” to get his message across.

In 2000 he was pictured holding a mug printed with a photograph of his three older children as he announced the birth of Leo. Since then, he has been snapped sipping from mugs with the words “The work goes on” and “Big issues need a big conversation”. Ms Everett said: “It is a very deliberate ploy. He knows he is going to be photographed. He knows people are going to talk about it.”

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