London - Downing Street last night tried to defuse a growing row after the Prime Minister, Mr Blair, allowed his children to miss school during term-time - just days after the government launched a move to stop other parents doing the same thing.
The Blair children, Euan, Nicky and Kathryn, are on the family's winter break holiday in the Seychelles. They will fly back tomorrow night.
Education Secretary Mr David Blunkett said last week that parents should not take holidays in school time.