CHERIE BLAIR came under renewed attack yesterday over her lucrative Washington lecture. There were calls for her to donate the proceeds from the speech to charity.

The Prime Minister’s wife was accused of breaking the spirit of guidelines that ban ministers from making money from activities linked to their jobs. Mrs Blair will give an inside account of life in Downing Street today in a lecture believed to be earning her £30,000. The speech coincides with her husband’s visit to the White House.

Meanwhile, The Times has learnt that delicate soundings are being taken about the contents of the next inquiry by the independent body which helps Tony Blair to combat “sleaze”. The Committee on Standards in Public Life is considering looking at conflicts of interest and the Freedom of Information Act, but pressure is being placed on it to consider redrafting the ministerial code to prevent spouses benefiting from ministers’ positions.

Chris Grayling, the Shadow Commons Leader, wrote to Sir Alistair Graham, the committee chairman, asking him to examine whether Mrs Blair had gone against the spirit of ministerial guidelines. Mr Grayling said yesterday: “She needs clearly to take a step back and say, ‘Perhaps I have made a mistake’. I think her judgment and indeed the judgment of Mr Blair himself will be seriously in question if she doesn’t do that.” He cited examples in the United States, Germany and France where the spouse of leaders donated money to charity in similar circumstances.

It is understood that the row over the lecture does fall within the committee’s remit because the behaviour of spouses can affect public office-holders’ perceived integrity. The committee never looks at complaints against individuals but can offer general advice arising from hotly disputed topical issues.

The ethics body was created in 1994 as John Major’s Government was rocked by scandals after his “back to basics” call.

Since Mr Blair’s re-election, it has begun discreet soundings over an agenda for its next report. The Prime Minister will be reminded of the pledge that he made on his return to Downing Street, bruised by a reduced majority: “I’ve listened and I’ve learnt.”

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