Blair plagued by mobile phone hoaxers

As if Prime Minister Tony Blair didn't have enough on his plate he is now being plagued by a mobile phone hoaxer whose text messaging mischievousness has been jamming the Downing Street switchboard.

Thousands of mobile phone users in the UK have been receiving a text message which reads: "Hi, mate, phone me ASAP, crap signal in this pub. If I don't answer ask for Tony who runs the place." The message also provided a number on which to reach the "mate", purporting to be the number of the pub they were drinking in.

However, those who rang the number found themselves connected to Downing Street's switchboard, and their requests to speak to "Tony" didn't get them too much further.

Downing Street has now been forced to set up a new number for Ministers and Civil Servants who had been unable to get through while the switchboard dealt with the prank calls.

If caught the individual or individuals behind the gag will face possible prosecution under the Data Protection Act. They may also be charged with creating a nuisance.