TONY BLAIR was facing fresh criticism last night that his wife is cashing in on his fame through a book and speaking tours about life in Downing Street.

The Tories stepped up their attack after the Prime Minister listed his wife's lucrative activities, for the first time, in the annual register of MPs' interests.

The Prime Minister's entry noted that her controversial lecture tour through the US, Australia and New Zealand "included some discussion of my wife's life in No 10 Downing Street".

The book, meanwhile, entitled The Goldfish Bowl: Married to the Prime Minister, "makes reference to her life in No 10 Downing Street", Mr Blair wrote.

Until now, the Prime Minister has always said the lectures - reputed to be worth £30,000 a night - have no connection to his job.

Chris Grayling, the Shadow Leader of the Commons, said the admission proved the need for tougher rules to prevent the Blairs making money from his public role.

He said: "The fact that Mr Blair has put his wife's lecture tours on the register is an acknowledgement that her commercial activities are linked to his job as Prime Minister."

Last night, Mr Blair's official spokesman said the Prime Minister had decided to register his wife's activities voluntarily, insisting there was no requirement for him to do so.

Mr Blair's entry also revealed his family were guests of Sir Cliff Richard at his Barbados villa for 26 nights on their summer holidays.

However, the Prime Minister made a donation to charity in lieu of the cost, as well as paying "all other expenses, including flights".

Meanwhile, former Tory leader William Hague's extraordinary extra-curricular earnings, through directorships, speeches and newspaper columns, soared again this year to £900,000.

The MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire, carried out 53 speaking engagements - at up to £15,000 a night - sometimes appearing in three cities a week.

The entry revealed the high price Mr Hague will pay if, as expected, he returns to the Tory frontbench under a new leader, forcing him to cut back on speaking tours.

Three MPs enjoyed free trips to football matches - Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong (Durham North West) and John Cummings (Easington) at Sunderland, and Iain Wright (Hartlepool) at Newcastle United.

And Alan Milburn (Darlington) and his two sons enjoyed hospitality at the Wales-England rugby clash in Cardiff, as well as earning about £20,000 through speeches and newspaper articles.