Blair promises 'serious but entertaining' memoir

Blair to provide frank account of Number 10

Friday, 26, Oct 2007 12:00

Tony Blair has signed a book deal for his political memoirs, thought to be worth at least £5 million.

The former prime minister is set to give a first-hand account of the formation of New Labour and lead-up to the Iraq War, as well as his volatile relationship with Gordon Brown.

The book, which Mr Blair is reportedly writing himself, will not be published for at least two years – allowing Mr Brown to hold a 2009 election before any potentially explosive revelations.

Mr Blair has promised to "provide a serious and thoughtful, but also entertaining, reflection" on his time as MP and decade at Number 10.

He is expected to give a frank but un-harmful account of his relationship with former chancellor and successor Mr Brown.

The 54-year-old former prime minister, who stood down in June after ten years, did not keep a diary during his time at Downing Street and is understood not to have begun writing the book.

The memoirs will be published by Random House, with whom Mr Blair has close links, and not the Murdoch owned Harper Collins as widely expected.

Random House' chief executive Gail Rebuck is married to Lord Gould, who was Mr Blair's senior pollster while prime minister.

Ms Rebuck said last night: "We are absolutely delighted to be publishing Tony Blair's memoirs.

"He was an extraordinary prime minister, and this will be an extraordinary book.

"It is a great privilege for all of us to be working with him on this unique project."

It will appear under the Hutchinson imprint in UK and Alfred A Knopf in the US.

Given his special relationship with presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, Mr Blair has long been expected to hold a lucrative appeal across the Atlantic.

Knopf chairman Sonny Mehta said Mr Blair had a "remarkable story to tell."

Mr Mehta said: "His tenure as prime minister was marked by close relationships with Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush, and he enjoys a profile in this country that is rare among foreign leaders."

Random House also published Mr Blair's former spin doctor's memoirs.

Alistair Campbell's diaries, which were edited to remove any passages that could damage the new prime minister, became an instant best seller this summer.