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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tony Blair is my friend - Brown | Tony Blair is my friend - Brown |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has insisted that Tony Blair is his friend, and always will be, despite Labour's recent squabbles. | |
| In a TV interview to be aired later, the chancellor admits their friendship has had its "ups and downs". | |
| But he says it's still been one of the strongest political relationships in history, despite reports they fell out. | But he says it's still been one of the strongest political relationships in history, despite reports they fell out. |
| Friends of the prime minister have accused Mr Brown of orchestrating an attempted coup against him earlier this month, which he strongly denies. | Friends of the prime minister have accused Mr Brown of orchestrating an attempted coup against him earlier this month, which he strongly denies. |
| He will always be my friend Gordon Brown | He will always be my friend Gordon Brown |
| Reports claimed the two men had a huge row a week ago when discussing Mr Blair's timetable to step down as prime minister. | Reports claimed the two men had a huge row a week ago when discussing Mr Blair's timetable to step down as prime minister. |
| Some observers say the two men's rivalry has become bitter over the years. | Some observers say the two men's rivalry has become bitter over the years. |
| In an interview being broadcast on Sky News Lunchtime Live, Mr Brown was asked if Mr Blair is his friend. | In an interview being broadcast on Sky News Lunchtime Live, Mr Brown was asked if Mr Blair is his friend. |
| The chancellor replied: "Yes, and he will always be my friend. And you build friendships, but friendships have ups and downs as well." | The chancellor replied: "Yes, and he will always be my friend. And you build friendships, but friendships have ups and downs as well." |
| 'Skill and sensitivity' | 'Skill and sensitivity' |
| He added: "Tony Blair has been a wonderful leader for the Labour Party and I think over the 23 years I have known Tony, this has been one of the strongest political relationships in history. | He added: "Tony Blair has been a wonderful leader for the Labour Party and I think over the 23 years I have known Tony, this has been one of the strongest political relationships in history. |
| "I think Tony Blair has led the country with a tremendous amount of ability, skill, acumen and sensitivity to what the British people want to see done." | "I think Tony Blair has led the country with a tremendous amount of ability, skill, acumen and sensitivity to what the British people want to see done." |
| He dismissed questions about whether the two men had done a deal in 1994, in which Mr Brown agreed not to contest the leadership as long as Mr Blair would pass it to him later. | He dismissed questions about whether the two men had done a deal in 1994, in which Mr Brown agreed not to contest the leadership as long as Mr Blair would pass it to him later. |
| And he hailed Mr Blair's achievements, listing Northern Ireland, hospitals and schools, high employment and economic stability as highlights. | And he hailed Mr Blair's achievements, listing Northern Ireland, hospitals and schools, high employment and economic stability as highlights. |