Coe: Blair still backs me

Sebastian Coe said today he had the full backing of Tony Blair to carry on as leader of London's 2012 Olympic bid despite allegations about his private life.

The 47-year-old double Olympic champion said the Prime Minister had sent a message of support after claims in two Sunday newspapers that Lord Coe paid for a former mistress to have an abortion during a 10-year affair. Speaking for the first time since the scandal broke, the former Tory MP said: "The Prime Minister has given me his support. A message was conveyed to me. I was very grateful.

"I cannot go into the allegations and I won't. The point I would like to make is that it really is business as usual. This bid... is frankly able to withstand two days of tabloid speculation."

Lord Coe, who took over as chairman of the Olympics campaign two weeks ago, would have been forced to quit if Mr Blair had shown any hesitancy to support him. The Prime Minister did not talk to Lord Coe, but the message is said to have been passed on by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell who had several discussions on the issue over the weekend.

Asked if he was worried the allegations might lose votes for London among Catholic International Olympic Committee members, Lord Coe said: "This bid is well founded and larger than any allegations that have been made."

Lord Coe said he had also been contacted by UK and international sports officials. He said: "The level of support has surprised me. It was instantaneous and I am very gratified."

Vanessa Lander, a 42-year-old fashion designer, claimed she became pregnant by Lord Coe eight years ago when his wife was about to give birth to their third child. She alleged that, after discussing the situation with her lover, they decided that she should have an abortion.

She claimed Lord Coe paid for her to have the procedure at the Portland Hospital in May 1996.

Lord Coe, whose 13-year-old marriage to equestrian champion Nicola McIrvine collapsed two years ago, sought a High Court Injunction to suppress the claims in The Mail on Sunday and Sunday Mirror. But it was rejected in an extraordinary hearing on Saturday night.

Lord Coe said today he would not be fighting the allegations further in the courts. He added: "I have to set my own irritation aside from the issue. It isn't for me to bog down a London Olympic bid in months of litigation.

Asked if he regretted what had happened, he added: "Well, in terms that we are all reflective."

Lord Coe took on the job of leading the lobbying of IOC members after former airline executive Barbara Cassani stepped down on 19 May. Olympic chiefs will decide on the 2012 venue in Singapore next July.

Asked if the claims might affect the trust he needs to build with IOC members, Lord Coe said: "I would sincerely hope not."