Britain?s Office of National Statistics is seeking an explanation from the Prime minister?s office about remarks Tony Blair made recently predicting a fall in unemployment before the data were published, the ONS said. Ministers are given access to ONS data under strict embargo and are not supposed to comment until after publication.

Speaking to union leaders on Tuesday, Blair said: ?Tomorrow, I think, we will probably see for the first time in some months a fall again in unemployment.? ONS data released yesterday showed that the number of people claiming jobless benefit fell by 3,900 in August, confounding analysts expectations for a rise of 4,000. ?We have seen reports that the Prime Minister made remarks about the unemployment figures in advance of their publication,? the ONS said in a statement.