Brown-Blair 'contempt revealed'

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are trying too hard to appear friends, and the body language between them reveals a glaring animosity, a scientist has argued.

At the festival of science in Norwich, Oxford university's Peter Collett said gestures often belie politicians' attempts to appear authentic.

Looking at the relationship between the prime minister and his expected successor, Mr Brown, Dr Collett argued that the chancellor was clearly frustrated.

Noting that Mr Brown looked away 155 times, bit his lip 12 times, and touched his face 35 times during Mr Blair's 2003 conference speech, he said: "Gordon looks desperate to show support, but his smile is just a grimace.

"He looks incredibly uncomfortable when Blair is in the limelight."

Meanwhile, Mr Blair pulls a "facial gesture that’s common with a bad smell" when he is photographed with Mr Brown, the scientist claimed, concluding: "The relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown is an endless game of political poker."