Martha Lane-Fox, the multi-millionaire co-founder of Lastminute.com, has proposed herself to Tony Blair as an agent to promote e-commerce.

The revelation was made yesterday by Tim Jackson, non-executive director of QXL.Com, another leading e-company.

Mr Jackson referred to Ms Lane-Fox's offer to make herself available as a new government adviser when he spoke at a meeting in Downing Street on Wednesday night attended by Mr Blair, the Dutch prime minister Wim Kok and some of the leading internet start-up high fliers. Mr Jackson said Ms Lane-Fox had made the offer the last time he had been in Downing Street to see the prime minister.

No 10 refused to comment on whether it would take up the apparent offer from Ms Lane-Fox, 27, who has amassed a paper fortune of over £40m off the back of her still loss-making internet bucket shop. They conceded Ms Lane Fox had been to Downing Street for a business seminar and said they look at interesting ideas all the time.

Some have suggested that the serious internet entrepreneurs are jaundiced about the success of Ms Lane-Fox who does not come from a computer or business background.

Mr Blair has already appointed an e-envoy, Alex Allen, a former Downing Street civil servant, but his aides said they recognised the importance of the internet industry.