I don't think that The Times has any specific agenda, beyond reporting the facts.
Bliar may have caved in to 'foreign' coercion to direct the SFO to stop its investigations, but the OECD is made of sterner stuff and , it seems, is determined to get to the truth.
If the OECD discover that Bliar lent on the SFO through political or economic reasons, the effect on international trade will be very serious. But if their investigations show that there were no bribes, no slush fund to entertain visiting foreigners with 'escorts' in opulent London hotels and no impropriety then fine. Good news for all concerned.
However, I simply cannot sibscribe to the view that it's OK to stop being concerned about the ethics of any company just because 'British jobs are at stake' or for whatever other lame excuse is trotted out by those who don't want the truth to be known.