The British taxpayers' bill after former Prime Minister Tony Blair gave evidence at the Iraq inquiry for a single day on January 29 was 273,000 pounds.

The costs uncovered by questions under Freedom of Information Act disclosed that the total wage bill for police switched from other duties to guard Blair was 178,000 pounds.

A further 61,000 pounds was paid in overtime and 34,000 pounds was eaten up by sundry costs including air support, barriers, transport, road signs and other equipment.

In all 657 officer shifts and 28 staff shifts were worked when Blair was called to Sir John Chilcot's inquiry.

"Any additional cost to the Met is minimal because the area around the centre forms part of the normal policing of the Government Security Zone," The Daily Express quoted a Scotland Yard spokeswoman, as saying. (ANI)