Tony Blair was delighted to keep a guitar presented to him by rock star Bono - but showed far less enthusiasm for a similar gift from Mexico's president.
Official files released to the National Archives show Blair was keen to take advantage of rules on ministerial gifts to buy the instrument given to him by the U2 singer and Live Aid campaigner once he left office.
He did, however, question whether he would have to pay "the full purchase price".
Number 10 officials suggested the prime minister, who fronted a rock band called Ugly Rumours during his student days, might want to take the same approach with other musical gifts.
They highlighted a white Fender Stratocaster valued at £2,500 from Canadian singer Bryan Adams as another potential purchase.
However, Blair was apparently much less enthusiastic about an acoustic Vargas guitar presented to him by President Vicente Fox during an official visit to Mexico in 2001, noting: "I don't actually use it."
The files also show Blair rejected official advice about a Pro Braided tennis racket given to him by manufacturer Slazenger. Officials feared the gift was part of a "marketing ploy" by the company and suggested it should be donated to a children's charity.
They warned Blair that "you cannot be seen to endorse any product".
Blair, however, instructed them just to thank the company, adding: "It is very churlish to refuse to use it."
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
