Mr Blair, who was recently paid nearly £400,000 (S$890,000) for two half- hour speeches in the Philippines, has emerged as the world's highest-paid public speaker, the Sunday Times reported. This works out to $14,833 a minute.

The 2,000 or so people who attended the lectures - for which some paid more than £350 - were treated to such oratorical insights as 'politics really matters, but a lot of what goes on is not great' and 'religion (can be) a source of inspiration, or an excuse for evil'.

Many popular public speakers have been forced to offer their services at a discount amid the global recession, the Times reported, but Mr Blair's fees have stayed high.

Former US president Bill Clinton nets about US$150,000 (S$227,000) for his speeches, though he has cut back on his public speaking since his wife Hillary became the US Secretary of State.

Mr Clinton's vice-president, Mr Al Gore, has been in international demand after his film An Inconvenient Truth helped him reinvent himself as a crusader against climate change. He charges about US$100,000 for an hour-long speech.

Former US president George W. Bush is said to have charged US$150,000 for speeches he has given since he left the White House.

Ms Sylvia Tidy-Harris, who has organised many speaking engagements for British politicians, said she was surprised at the widespread interest Mr Blair has generated.

'I can understand Mr Bill Clinton's appeal - every man wants to pat him on the back and every woman wants to be the next Monica Lewinsky,' she said. 'But Mr Tony Blair...he just doesn't have that charisma.'

The Times quoted a spokesman for Mr Blair as saying: 'He is in great demand for his insight and analysis, which is a tribute to the high esteem in which he is held.'

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times