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President Blair push 'dismissed' No 10 Blair push 'is speculation'
(about 1 hour later)
Number 10 has dismissed as speculation reports that Gordon Brown has asked senior officials to lobby in Europe for Tony Blair to become its new president. Reports that Gordon Brown is helping lobby for former PM Tony Blair to become European president are just speculation, says Downing Street.
The Guardian says Europe adviser John Cunliffe and EU ambassador Kim Darroch are discreetly taking soundings. The Guardian says Europe adviser John Cunliffe and EU ambassador Kim Darroch have been asked to take soundings.
But the prime minister simply said he would back Mr Blair if he put himself forward for the role. Mr Blair has not confirmed he wants the job, which will only exist when the EU Treaty is ratified by all 27 states.
The post will be created only if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, with only the Czech Republic yet to sign up. The Czech Republic is the last to sign, its constitutional court is due to hear what could be its last legal challenge.
A hearing on the treaty is due to be held later on Tuesday by the Czech Constitutional Court.
'Strong voice'
If the court rules the treaty is legal under Czech law, then pressure on President Vaclav Klaus to sign it will increase.If the court rules the treaty is legal under Czech law, then pressure on President Vaclav Klaus to sign it will increase.
Meanwhile Mr Blair's undeclared campaign for the EU presidency has stoked a row between his supporters and the Conservative Party. Brussels summit
The most pragmatic thing is to try and make sure that we have a European Union that is far more effective on the global stage Chris Bryant class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8327190.stm">Czech court to hear Lisbon case There is some pressure on Mr Blair to confirm he is in the running for the newly created post of president of the European Council, amid apparent opposition to his candidacy among some smaller European states.
The Tories have promised a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if it is not ratified by all 27 EU member states and if they win the general election next year. BBC Europe correspondent Dominic Hughes said Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were among smaller EU countries that believed the president should come from a country that uses the Euro and is part of the border-free Schengen Agreement.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Monday that the EU needed Mr Blair's "strong, persuasive voice". This is a time when a strong European voice is more needed than ever David MilibandForeign Secretary class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8327190.stm">Czech court to hear Lisbon case
He told the BBC: "This is a time when a strong European voice is more needed than ever, it's not a time for shy retiring violets... Europe needs a strong, persuasive, articulate advocate." Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has backed Mr Blair but French President Nicolas Sarkozy is reported to have gone off the idea and it is not known who German Chancellor Angela Merkel would support.
But Conservative Europe spokesman Mark Francois said he was concerned Mr Blair would not be best for the EU. British ministers have been talking up Mr Blair's credentials over the last few days, ahead of a summit of European leaders in Brussels later this week.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Monday: "This is a time when a strong European voice is more needed than ever, it's not a time for shy retiring violets... Europe needs a strong, persuasive, articulate advocate."
'Plotting'
And Europe Minister Chris Bryant told BBC2's Newsnight: "We need a far more effective Europe on a global stage and if you want that then you probably want somebody like Tony Blair because they would be able, quite simply, to be able to make a far more effective case around the world."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has only said he would back Mr Blair if he put himself forward for the role.
Asked about the Guardian's reports that he had asked senior civil servants to lobby behind the scenes for Mr Blair's candidacy, a Downing Street spokesman said that was just speculation.
Support for Blair is diminishing Charles GrantCentre for European Reform Miliband: Britain needs strong EU Berlusconi backs Blair for EU job
But the Conservatives, who have said they will hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if they win power before it is ratified by all EU states, have been accused of "plotting" to undermine Mr Blair's chances of landing the job.
BBC Newsnight political editor Michael Crick said shadow foreign secretary William Hague had told Berlin and Paris that the Tories would take Blair's appointment as a hostile act against a future Conservative government.
Pro-European analyst Charles Grant told BBC 2's Newsnight: "The biggest problem is that the initiative by the Conservative Party to try and block his candidacy is making an impact."
He added: "That is making some other governments fearful of getting off on the wrong foot vis a vis an incoming Conservative government so support for Blair is diminishing."
'Wholly unsuitable'
Conservative Europe spokesman Mark Francois told the BBC he was concerned Mr Blair would not be best for the EU.
He said: "Tony Blair was forced out of office in this country by his own party, and now we have Labour politicians desperately running around saying he should get this job."He said: "Tony Blair was forced out of office in this country by his own party, and now we have Labour politicians desperately running around saying he should get this job."
The government has accused the Tories of "plotting" to undermine Mr Blair's chances of landing the job. And opposition to Mr Blair as EU president is not confined to the Conservative Party.
Europe Minister Chris Bryant compared the shadow foreign secretary William Hague and Mr Francois to two cartoon characters.
He told BBC Newsnight: "Dastardly and Mutley, William Hague and Mark Francois, can wander around trying to do your Wacky Races little wheezes but the truth of the matter is, all that matters here is what delivers for Britain.
"And that most patriotic thing, the most pragmatic thing is to try and make sure that we have a European Union that is far more effective on the global stage."
'Rejection fears'
Although Mr Blair has not publicly announced his intention to campaign for the presidency, BBC Newsnight's political editor Michael Crick said Mr Blair's friends had confirmed he wanted the job.
Mr Crick also suggested Mr Blair had not declared himself as a candidate because he did not want to face the humiliation of possible rejection.
However opposition to Mr Blair as EU president has spread beyond the Conservative party.
Former foreign secretary Lord Owen said the ex-prime minister's handling of the Iraq war showed he was unfit for the job.Former foreign secretary Lord Owen said the ex-prime minister's handling of the Iraq war showed he was unfit for the job.
He told the BBC: "I believe that disqualification from high office follows if you do not tell the truth to the House of Commons on a very serious question like going to war."He told the BBC: "I believe that disqualification from high office follows if you do not tell the truth to the House of Commons on a very serious question like going to war."
And Labour former minister Peter Kilfoyle, who opposed the Iraq war, said Mr Blair would be "wholly unsuitable" for the job and has tabled a Commons motion calling for a full public debate "before the government contemplates embarking on such a recommendation".
BBC Europe editor Gavin Hewitt said European leaders were divided between those who want a charismatic figure to be the face of Europe internationally and those who wanted a more modest "business manager".BBC Europe editor Gavin Hewitt said European leaders were divided between those who want a charismatic figure to be the face of Europe internationally and those who wanted a more modest "business manager".