Palestinian officials have accused Tony Blair, the Middle East Quartet special envoy, of trying to lobby European countries against PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's bid for statehood recognition at the United Nations.

The allegations against Blair have ranged from inappropriate business dealings to bias in favour of Israel.

British media reports have focused on claims that Blair's other job as an adviser with the merchant bank JP Morgan has opened doors for numerous private business interests. Blair says the allegations are "absolutely untrue."

Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford reports from Ramallah in the West Bank.