Mr Blair continues to defend his successor

Blair: It’s not Brown’s fault

Blair: It’s not Brown’s fault

Tony Blair has urged voters not to lay the blame for the state of the economy at the door of prime minister Gordon Brown.

In his first UK television interview since leaving office – on GMTV – Mr Blair said all western countries were experiencing the same problems.

“I said when I left that I was going to be 100 per cent supportive of Gordon and the government and that’s what I continue to be,” Mr Blair said.

“It’s difficult for all leaders at the moment around the western world.”

He went on to describe Mr Brown as “probably the most successful finance minister in the world for a decade”.

Mr Blair is in the capital to be grilled by MPs on the international development committee this afternoon.