Cherie Blair reveals Paisley snub

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Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was shown the courtesy by the veteran Northern Ireland politician because he had yet to convert, she said.

Her audience at Cheltenham Literature Festival tutted with disapproval as she spoke about the former Democratic Unionist Party leader and First Minister.

Mrs Blair told a packed Town Hall: "From beginning to end Ian Paisley never shook my hand. His wife would but Ian Paisley wouldn't because I was Catholic. Of course, Tony wasn't (Catholic) at the time.."

She also went on to question the Catholic church's position on abortion. The QC said there was "a difference between preventing a life and destroying a life" that its leaders should recognise.

She later attacked the Daily Mail newspaper claiming she had "five separate outstanding legal actions" pending in relation to reports written about her.

"When I was in Number 10 I couldn't sue. Now I just keep on suing them," she said.

The human rights lawyer also spoke about Gordon Brown's struggle with the "gradual realisation" that he was not going to get the Labour leadership nomination.

She said: "That was a very difficult moment because since he met Tony and they shared that room together he was always the experienced person in politics and Tony was the one coming through the law.

"To suddenly realise he had been eclipsed by Tony was something it took a long time if ever to be reconciled (with). I'm sure he has now - he's Prime Minister and is doing a good job."