'Cheriegate' conman faces immigration fraud charges

AUSTRALIAN conman Peter Foster, who was at the centre of the "Cheriegate" scandal which embarrassed Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, has appeared in court in Fiji on immigration fraud charges.

Jailed on three continents for peddling bogus slimming drugs and using false documents, Mr Foster appeared in Suva Magistrates Court yesterday and was asked to enter a plea to the charge of using a forged Australian police certificate in order to enter Fiji.

"Absolutely not guilty," Mr Foster told the court.

He was remanded in custody until a decision on bail is made later today.

Mr Foster was captured last month after jumping off a bridge into a river to evade police.

He was injured in the jump and was taken into police custody after being released from hospital.

Four years ago Mr Foster acted as "financial adviser" to Cherie Blair over the purchase of two flats in Bristol, where the Blairs' son Euan was at university.