Morning:
6°c
- The final insult: Blair takes revenge on 'maddening' Brown
- FIRST REVIEW: You can't get to the real Blair
- Book: How Blair's Journey ended on the page
- McElvoy: Ghosts of past politics still haunt the stage
- ES Comment: Tony Blair's memoirs show a large if flawed figure
- Blair on Iraq: 'Bigger risk' to leave Saddam in power
- Blair on errors: 'I only made small mistakes'
Tony Blair's book today makes unprecedented disclosures about the Queen and reveals his
private dealings with the royal family.
In a major breach of protocol, his memoirs relate conversations in detail, including strained discussions after the death of Diana.
He describes country weekends at Balmoral as “a vivid combination of the intriguing, the surreal and the utterly freaky” which he faced when he was prime minister with “a bit of horror”.
Mr Blair says the stiff drinks he was poured before dinner were “a blessing” that acted like “true rocket fuel” and made the evening with the royal family more bearable.
“Individually, it can be a little nerve-racking to be with them; en masse, all of them and just Cherie and me, well, you can imagine,” he adds.
He says the Queen exhibited “hauteur” on occasion and was verydirect, telling him at their first meeting after he took office: “You are my tenth prime minister. The first was Winston. That was before you were born.”
Tory MP Nicholas Soames, a close friend of Prince Charles, said the revelations about the Queen and the royal family were “highly inappropriate”.
He added: “It is not only inappropriate but it flies in the face of the convention that the discussions between the monarch and her prime minister are entirely private and should never be subject to any indiscretions whatsoever.”
Mr Soames, grandson of Winston Churchill, added: “Nor is it appropriate to talk about dealings with the royal family. It is highly inappropriate, a great breach and bad manners.”
It is unheard of for any prime minister to relate conversations with the Queen. David Cameron was criticised recently for hinting at what he told her after this year's election and Harold Wilson was criticised for revealing that she cooked him lunch in the Seventies. Mr Blair goes much further than either.
At Balmoral after Diana's funeral, Mr Blair spent time alone with the Queen. He says: “I talked about the need to learn lessons.”
He goes on: “I worried afterwards she would think I was lecturing her or being presumptuous, and at points during the conversation she assumed a certain hauteur, but in the end she herself said lessons must be learnt.”
He says that he had felt slightly uncomfortable during the weekend, and could not have got through it without the drink served before dinner, which he described as a “blessing”, adding: “Had it been a dry event, had the Queen been a teetotaller or a temperance fanatic, I don't believe I could have got through the weekend. But this stuff — I was never quite sure what it was — I was absolutely sure it was what was needed. It was true rocket fuel. The easy conversation intercourse with the royal family seemed entirely natural.”
A year later he spent another weekend at Balmoral with his wife Cherie, who wanted to bring the children. “At which I laughed hysterically and said on no account.” Mr Blair describes an unlikely barbecue where Prince Philip cooked and other members of the royal family cleared up.
“You think I'm joking, but I'm not. They put the gloves on and stick their hands in the sink. The Queen asks if you've finished, she stacks the plates up and goes off to the sink,” he writes.
He writes that he had an immediate connection with Diana, recalling her as down-to-earth and charming but also stubborn and prone to being over-emotional. “We were both, in our own way, manipulators,” he said, of their ability to instinctively grasp and play on the feelings of others.
But on a visit to Chequers in July 1997, a month before her death, he felt compelled to share his concerns over her relationship with Dodi Fayed. “She didn't like it and I could feel the wilful side of her bridling.”
He also reveals that he had been concerned acrobats would fall on the Queen's head during the new year celebrations at the Millennium Dome.
Journey man: Extracts from the memoirs
Olympics
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi was key to London's successful bid to host the Olympics, the former Prime Minister revealed.
Mr Blair visited him at his home in Sardinia to seek his help with the bid. The Italian PM told him: “You are my friend. I promise nothing but I see if I can help.”
He suggested that other countries that had chosen to distance themselves from Italy because of Mr Berlusconi's more controversial antics lost out.
Mr Blair said: “At the top, politics is about people. If you like a leader, you try to help them, even if it stretches your own interests. If you don't, you don't.”
Livingstone
The searing hatred for Ken Livingstone at the top levels of the Labour party is laid bare in the book. Mr Blair described how John Prescott, Gordon Brown and Neil Kinnock harboured a “visceral” dislike for the would-be mayor. The party's top brass backed health secretary Frank Dobson and there was a “big mess” looming in London.
“The truth is that Frank had about as much chance of beating Ken Livingstone in a contest to be London mayor as Steptoe and Son's horse had of winning the Grand National,” he said. He said the opposition to Mr Livingstone was “stupid”, adding: “I also exaggerated the dangers of his policy positions, not wilfully, but just out of force of habit when describing an opponent's politics.”
But he added: “I rather admired Ken's style, his quirkiness, which made him stand out as different.”
Cherie
Cherie Blair repeatedly urged her husband not to resign and make way for Gordon Brown. When he hit a low point in 2004, she warned him that he was “kidding himself” to claim that Mr Brown would continue his reforms. “You just want out,” she said. “I understand why. But let's be honest about it.” Mr Blair then decided to stay longer.
9/11
A passenger plane flying over London was almost shot down in the panic after the 9/11 attacks.
RAF fighters were in the air ready to destroy the airliner which had failed to respond to radio messages. “I had the senior RAF commander authorised to get my decision,” Blair wrote. “The fighter jet was airborne. For several anxious minutes we talked, trying desperately to get an instinct as to whether this was threat or mishap.
“The deadline came. I decided we should hold back. Moments later the plane regained contact. It had been a technical error. I needed to sit down and thank God after that one.”
London Bombings
In the aftermath of the July 7 attacks on London Mr Blair suffered sleepless nights.
He describes the stress of one meeting where he had to make a decision on the latest threat.
“Although the intelligence seemed flimsy, ignoring it was hard. Acting on it was also hard. I decided not to act, but I passed a very restless and anxious night when the time of the threatened act came.”
Prescott
Tony Blair considered sacking John Prescott over his affair with his secretary but could not do it out of loyalty. “In purely selfish terms it would have been better to fire him... but I just couldn't bring myself to do it,” he said.
His deputy also had strained relations with the royal family. Mr Blair was once asked by the Prince of Wales whether it was normal for someone to slide down their chair, spread their legs wide apart and balance their cup and saucer on their stomach. Charles asked whether Mr Prescott — ever the class warrior —could be trying to demonstrate they belonged in different social spheres.
Reader views (41)
The Bible tells us that 'spiders live in palaces'.... mmmmm...... 2 legged ones ?
- Richard Merrell, Wentworth Falls, NSW Australia, 03/09/2010 05:53
Report abuse
As a child I once remarked to my farther after a birthday party I didnt like the sweat. You dont have to like the sweat said my farther, just think yourself lucky they gave it to you.
Good job he's not around today to hear a chap criticize his host would be beyond belief. Particularly ones that are not allowed to answer back.
- ALAN,, England, 02/09/2010 18:23
Report abuse
And by the way, when the Blairs had gone, Philip probably took the precaution of counting the silver.
- Alex, London, 01/09/2010 16:41
I vote 'Alex of London' for best comment of the week.
- Charlie, London, 02/09/2010 13:54
Report abuse
Strange isn't it that for all the socialist ideals we have heard from LORD Prescott we now hear that his wife enjoys being a LADY!
So the gripe from the left-wing loonie brigade isn't that we should not have a Royal Family it's that THEY want to be the royal family. Now let's all say aaahh for the little spoilt babies!
- Mike, Sutton, 02/09/2010 08:34
Report abuse
Gary, what happens in ANOTHER COUNRY which is what the Palestinian terrirories are, is nothing to do with me, my countrymen or our government. If you think, very incorrectly, that we are anyone's oppressors, then you have been watching too much left-wing , antisemitic tripe from the BBC. You telling me that us oppressing our neighbors, is like me telling you that while Cameron is sitting at home in London, he is oppressing the people of France! We protect our own country from outside influences and threats, of course, but that is what defends our liberties and freedoms. Britan used to do that, but when they stopped, it got invaded by all sorts of rotten outside influences that it now cant get rid of.
If you want to level any message of oppression at anyone, try the Hamas government. They are oppressors of their own people. They have huge amounts of wealth which they gained from other Arabic countries, then they play the propaganda card and take millions of dollars from European bleeding-heart liberals and waste it on themselves rather than their people. They are nothing to do with us whatsoever, it is a different country. We in Israel are all equal, the country was founded on equality for all Jewish people, rather like a co-operative society. We dont have hierarchy.
My point is, the British Royal family should not be allowed to swan around on the tax payer's money, making the British people feel like subjects rather than citizens.
- Andrew, Tel Aviv, Israel, 02/09/2010 07:39
Report abuse
Spot the freak at Balmoral? No problem - stick the label on the guy who, with Brownstuff, almost bankrupted the UK.
- Ted, Orkney, 02/09/2010 07:14
Report abuse
The Queen said this - the Queen said that...who cares ? once upon a time the Royal family cut off heads to pass the time, now they make documentaries...so what's new.
Be interesting to find out other things the Queen said, and the rest of them. She's the 'Defender of the Faith,' I haven't heard of her saying anything against Islam....so the Queen really hasn't said much at all.
- Richard Merrell, Wentworth Falls, NSW Australia, 02/09/2010 02:09
Report abuse
I prefer to look at things objectively regardless of my personal feelings which may well be wrong intially when I don't have all the facts.
Blair's written his book. There is detail in there that will turn out to be insightful, and some that won't. The fact is this man rightly or wrongly decided to take this country to war and he did make a very important (and overlooked point) that.... if Iraq wasn't dealt with then (for all the mistakes made since and acknowledged) we would be dealing with it now in in the not too distant future along with Iran simultaneously.
I do not agree with the way things have worked out but it's hard to disagree with the idea that that wouldn't be the case. War isn't pretty, but a slowly arming Iran and Iraq would make it even less pretty. So I suggest people of a very liberal stance think about the long term consequences of the alternative side of the story.
Blair believes he was right, it's as simple as that and yes, it looks strongly as though they over-rided international law related to sovereign invasion but does that mean it was wrong? I am just playing devil's advocate here and putting it out there. Life and the real politics out there is never that simple and should be remembered.
You can argue to say the above sets a president, however, the same could've been said for our altimatum that triggered world war 2 regarding invasion of Poland justifies our involvement; did it? Not using todays legal parameters but I'm glad we did.
- Richard Woodward, London, 02/09/2010 01:13
Report abuse
Perhaps the people on the other side of the walls might get a better deal if they don't elect governments which vow to 'wipe Israel off of the map'?
- Jan, London, 01/09/2010 23:22
Report abuse
Andrew, Tel Aviv: "British people should be citizens rather than subjects."
My British Passport says nothing about me being "a subject". From where do you get this fanciful notion?
I wonder what was actually so "freaky" about the weekend at Balmoral? Perhaps he was in awe of the company and surroundings, but that hardly makes the occasion "freaky".
- David Cunard, Palm Springs, CA, USA, 01/09/2010 20:42
Report abuse
Robert Jamieson: your comment is contemptible. Do you agree with every policy of the UK Government? Does that colour every opinion you may have? what if someone from another Country had made the same statement with reference to the invasion of Iraq (for exmaple)? You should be ashamed of yourself.
- Alan J, London, 01/09/2010 17:56
Report abuse
Dreadful and traitorous peasant.
- Lord Hingebottom, Hingebottom Bay, UK, 01/09/2010 17:52
Report abuse
So someone from *Israel* feels that it's immoral to place yourself higher than others. Is he speaking for the Palestinians as well?
Robert
- Robert Jamieson, Notts, 01/09/2010 17:47
Report abuse
Well done for giving the proceeds to charity, I hope more politicians will do the same in future.
- James, Maida Vale, 01/09/2010 17:36
Report abuse
@Andrew "not sure who is worse for the UK,the awful monarchy and their disgusting and profligate manner think they are better than everybody else blah blah blah."
May I strongly suggest Andy my boy that you and your tribe go take a long hard look in the mirror when it comes to describing and critizing someone as having a disgusting and proligate manner...try looking over the bloody walls at the poor sods who you and your cesspit of a country have ground so far into the dirt there is no further for them to go. As for your comment "No human being has the right to lord it over another human being" too bloody right they ain't and the sooner you and your fellow countrymen are made to grasp that the better for the safety of this world.
sccch.....makes me want to vomit
- Gary, Surrey, 01/09/2010 16:48
Report abuse
The Royal Family is alright as long as they don't say anything. As soon as they open their mouths then we start doing cost/benefit analysis. Charley Boy needs to shut up if he wants to be less unpopular. No one cares what he thinks about the environment or Architecture. That is the compromise. Live in a palace and shut up.
- Alex C, London, 01/09/2010 16:45
Report abuse
And by the way, when the Blairs had gone, Philip probably took the precaution of counting the silver.
- Alex, London, 01/09/2010 16:41
Report abuse
So Blair thinks ther Royals are freakish - pity we're unlikely to learn what the Royals thought of the Blairs. Upstairs upstarts,probably.
- Alex, London, 01/09/2010 16:38
Report abuse
Who is this "bananas" Vicar of Norwood?
A comedy writer?
- Michaella, London UK, 01/09/2010 16:33
Report abuse
I WOULD NOT READ OR BUY THIS MANS BOOK EVEN IF YOU GAVE IT TO ME FOR NOTHING.
THE QUEEN!MAYBE SHE'S FED UP WITH HAVING SERVENTS WAITING ON HER AND SHE'D LIKE TO DO A BIT OF HOUSE WORK HERSELF..GOOD ON HER MAJESTY.
- KC, KYRENIA CYPRUS, 01/09/2010 16:32
Report abuse
Well Id rather have tjhe Queen remain as head of state than having a president.
Imagine president blair or Milliband or Abbott.
It just does not bear thinking about
- PATRICK'S OPINION LAMBETH, LONDON, 01/09/2010 16:32
Report abuse
Teflon Tony does it again!
- Dave, Leeds, 01/09/2010 16:32
Report abuse
Cheap comments from a cheap man who will do or say anything to get money.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 01/09/2010 16:30
Report abuse
re: Everybody knows that the Queen and her family are superior in every way to ordinary people. They are much closer to God - almost divine - and whenever they have the mis-fortune to mix with common types it always goes badly wrong. The best we can do is simply continue to bow and scrape and attend their garden parties when ordered to do so.
- The Vicar of Norwood, London, 01/09/2010 16:16
Thank you for your socialist/communist view of the world. Now when it comes to the marxist Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe one apparently only bows and scrapes under the caring and watchful eye of his gun-totting henchman. Apparently, similarly for the marxist run Venezuela or the communist North Korea. If only our British Royal family would learn to follow suit!
- Mike, Sutton, 01/09/2010 16:26
Report abuse
The royals are human so what's wrong with treating them like other humans. With due respect but hey, we are in the 21st century now.
- Claude Rains, Seattle Washington US, 01/09/2010 16:25
Report abuse
Everybody knows that the Queen and her family are superior in every way to ordinary people. They are much closer to God - almost divine - and whenever they have the mis-fortune to mix with common types it always goes badly wrong. The best we can do is simply continue to bow and scrape and attend their garden parties when ordered to do so.
- The Vicar of Norwood, London, 01/09/2010 16:16
Report abuse
Why are people surprised that Blair offers no apology for supporting the Iraq war?
Should he do so he would lose all credibility, as well as the revenues generated by his public speaking deals.
Better to carry on lying than lose money, no?
- jaime gamell, Madrid, Spain, 01/09/2010 16:10
Report abuse
As much as I hate Mr Bliar, he has a point about the royals.
- Kay Burley ate my hamster, Hackney, London, 01/09/2010 16:07
Report abuse
Dr Earl, I can sort of understand your perspective as someone who (like me) doesnt have to live under that kind of regime. You get to be a tourist in Britain, as do I. You get to enjoy the good parts, like looking at the palaces, etc. However, you dont have to pay your taxes for these hereditary layabouts to stuff champagne down their necks, look down on those who are working to pay for them and entertain nasty dictators from 3rd world countries at huge expense to British citizens.
Do you not think it is immoral for the Royals to place themselves higher than other citizens just by birthright? I certainly do.
- Andrew, Tel Aviv, Israel, 01/09/2010 15:45
Report abuse
No human being has the right to automatically 'lord it' over everyone else.
Andrew, Tel Aviv, Israel,
You do make me laugh, keep it up.
- W6, London, 01/09/2010 15:41
Report abuse
Was that before or after his devout Roman Catholic wife Cherie Blair used her contraceptive devices? An amazing action for a Roman Catholic.
All in all would you believe anything this despicable piece of excrement said?
- Mike, Sutton, 01/09/2010 15:38
Report abuse
Wonder if the queen brought out her Royal Dalton when the Blairs came to stay?
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 01/09/2010 15:17
Report abuse
Blair has no principles - he came to power for money, accepted donations from BP, Blair sells himself at $100,000 a pop to Americans for speaking with a 'hauty' British accent, and is now exploiting his position of privilege to diss everyone but himself - and breach their privacy at the same time. This book is 100% targeted at the American market, where it will be read for the very reasons it will not be read this side of the Atlantic. Revolting. For all his faults, at least Brown had honor.
- Oflife, Oxford, 01/09/2010 15:16
Report abuse
I greatly admire your Queen. I met her at one of those "garden party" audiences on several occasions. I met The Prince of Wales at Kensington and marveled at how simple the Royal Apartments were. He could not have been more of a gentlemen. I was invited to a Polo Match, but had to miss it due to my practice. The person I miss the most? Dame Vera Lynn.
- Dr. Earl, Mishawaka USA, 01/09/2010 15:13
Report abuse
Not sure who is worse for the UK, the awful monarchy with their disgusting and profligate manner of thinking they are better than everyone else, or Tony Blair and his horrendous liberal-left party who distroyed the financial, social and moral structure of Britain.
Constitutional Monarchies are immoral. No human being has the right to automatically 'lord it' over everyone else.
British people should be citizens rather than subjects. Get rid of the lot of them.
- Andrew, Tel Aviv, Israel, 01/09/2010 14:48
Report abuse
Hope he enjoys the money. Bang goes the peerage.
- Blue Baby, London, 01/09/2010 14:11
Report abuse
To the queen's rather pointed 'you are my tenth prime minister...' comment, it would have been amusing to see Blair respond 'well yes, it's very easy to stay in office as long as you have missy when you don't have to worry about things such as getting elected!' Someone should put this woman in her place (or at least put their hand on her bottom, like our PM did) .I think we Aussies need to ditch this pointless tie to the 'old country' once and for all.
- Dr. John McGurk, Perth, Aus., 01/09/2010 14:05
Report abuse
To quote Claude Rains in Casablanca, "I am shocked! Shocked!"
That ANYONE would buy Blair's book!
Thank-you, Evening Standard, for quoting the juicy bits and saving me 25 quid.
- Sidney Marks,, London UK, 01/09/2010 14:00
Report abuse
i dont see why we even bother to have overseas trade delegations and sales people when we have the duke of pork and his unusual brother doing it all for us or are they just free loaders at the tax payers expense which we just cant afford anymore
- anon leicestershire, leicestershire, 01/09/2010 11:13
Report abuse
What a genius is is Phoney Blur.
Did he realise that Gorgon Frown would be a disaster faster than I did? It took me 5 seconds.
- Anglo, Sussex England, 01/09/2010 11:08
Report abuse
If he had genuinely wanted to protect the monarchy from itself he would never have created two non jobs for airmiles Andy and idle Edward. To describe these two freeloaders as "ambassadors for trade and investment" is an insult to every tax payer in this country.
- R.F.York, Yorks, Ed, 01/09/2010 10:38
Report abuse
