The Commons Speaker has pledged to look into claims that ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair misled Parliament.

Michael Martin said he was "deeply concerned" after Tory MPs John Maples and Peter Luff told the House documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed Mr Blair lied about his involvement in the "Ecclestone affair".

They said the papers disclosed that Mr Blair personally intervened to secure Formula One's exemption from a tobacco advertising ban just hours after meeting the sport's boss Bernie Ecclestone.

The Government has always maintained that the meeting did not influence the final decision over the exemption - even though Mr Ecclestone was a major Labour donor at the time.

Mr Maples told Mr Martin: "This House must assert its right to the truth from ministers and I wonder if you can tell me how we can amend our rules to achieve this.

"I urge you to give us a lead in this so that we can insist on full and truthful answers from ministers and a sanction against those who deceive us."

Mr Martin asked Mr Maples and Mr Luff to write to him so that his officials could look into the matter.

He said: "I am deeply concerned that two Honourable Members have said they were deliberately misled.

"And albeit that the person concerned is out of the House, I am deeply concerned about that matter."

A spokesman for Mr Blair said: "There is nothing new here. All these issues were known and debated at the time, and the documents released are entirely consistent with Tony Blair's answers at the time."

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