Brown in talks with Blair over ex-PM's bid to become first president of Europe

But now it appears Tony Blair is requesting a favour from Gordon Brown: support for the former Prime Minister's controversial push to become the so-called President of Europe.

Mr Blair held talks with Mr Brown after he was urged to begin a formal campaign to become the president of the European Council.

Brown has yet to give his support - but he is reported to be merely "waiting for a nod" before he does so.

However it has been revealed that some Downing Street figures are urging him to push ahead with a campaign.

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But ex-Tory foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind said he would be "astonished" if EU leaders chose Mr Blair.

And an online petition against Mr Blair becoming president, organised by the European Tribune group, has attracted more than 2,900 petitions.

The high-powered role, which has been dubbed "president of Europe", will come into being next year, if the organisation's 27 member states ratify the Lisbon Treaty, signed by national leaders in December.

But the exact nature and status of the role is yet to be decided.

Some countries want a high-profile figure to represent the EU on the world stage, while others propose a more low-key, bureaucratic figure.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy has openly backed Mr Blair.

Blair made a speech last month where he called for "new ideas" on Europe. It was seen by many as the launch of a possible EU presidency bid.

To become president, he would need the backing of every EU government, each of which has a veto on selection.

The other main figure being mentioned for the job is Luxembourg's prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker.

German chancellor Angela Merkel is also thought to be a possible candidate, if she loses her country's general election next year.

Labour MP and former Europe minister Denis MacShane told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think he [Mr Blair] has been one of the biggest national leaders Europe has had in the last generation."

He added: "If he wants the job... from a British point of view it's always good to have a Brit in a top job."

Sir Malcolm, foreign secretary from 1995 to 1997, said: "By his own standards, his [Mr Blair's] whole strategy on Europe failed miserably.

"He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war.

"He failed to get Britain into the single currency, I'm delighted to say, but he didn't even dare have a referendum...

"He didn't even ask the British public. He just dropped the idea. I would be astonished if the rest of Europe sees him as their natural spokesman."

Mr Blair stood down as prime minister last June after more than 10 years in power.

He is currently working as a peace envoy to the Middle East and has taken up advisory roles with insurance firm Zurich and investment bank JP Morgan.