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Blair backs Brown at last Cabinet Blair backs Brown at last Cabinet
(10 minutes later)
Tony Blair promised "unswerving support" for Gordon Brown as prime minister at his farewell Cabinet meeting, Downing Street said.Tony Blair promised "unswerving support" for Gordon Brown as prime minister at his farewell Cabinet meeting, Downing Street said.
And Mr Brown told Mr Blair anything he achieved in the future would be because he was "standing on your shoulders".And Mr Brown told Mr Blair anything he achieved in the future would be because he was "standing on your shoulders".
Mr Blair received a standing ovation from colleagues at the end of the hour long meeting.Mr Blair received a standing ovation from colleagues at the end of the hour long meeting.
Commons leader Jack Straw said he would be remembered as one of the most successful prime ministers ever.Commons leader Jack Straw said he would be remembered as one of the most successful prime ministers ever.
Mr Straw also led tributes to Deputy Prime Minster John Prescott, who is also standing down next week. He said Mr Blair had faced up to the tough decisions that needed to be taken for the country and had made it a better place.
He praised Mr Prescott's "courage" and said had transformed the country's infrastructure, with projects such as the Channel Tunnel rail link. He had tackled racial and gender prejudice and created a society "at ease with itself".
Mr Straw also led tributes to Deputy Prime Minster John Prescott, who is standing down as well.
He praised Mr Prescott's "courage" and said he had transformed the country's infrastructure, with projects such as the Channel Tunnel rail link.
In his tribute to Mr Blair, Mr Brown said people would "look back in 100 years time and see the achievements that Tony Blair has made".
The changes he had made would be "historic and enduring", added Mr Brown.