Tony Blair tells of tensions with Brown

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose book came out on Wednesday, said that ''The relationship with Gordon was very, very difficult;'' however "we were very close too."

Mr Blair also said that his successor Gordon Brown could be "maddening" and charged him with a lack of "emotional intelligence".

In his reminiscences, he called Brown a "brilliant" chancellor but asserted that he had put him under "relentless" pressure trying to take over from him as PM.

Mr Blair also bared his "anguish" over British deaths in the Iraq war.  Although he had not changed his mind; about whether it had been right, to depose the despotic dictator; Saddam Hussein:  Furthermore he said that the West is facing a similar problem with Iran.  He said that decisions had to be made to ensure that Iran did not get a Nuclear capability and if all diplomatic channels fail, then if necessary by force.  

Mr Blair's book, published on Wednesday, gives his interpretation for the first time of the turbulent relationship with Brown, while they held the offices respectively of prime minister and chancellor from 1997 when New Labour was first elected right up to 2007 when Blair stood down and Brown succeeded him.

He said about Mr Brown: "Was he difficult, at times maddening? Yes. But he was also strong, capable and brilliant, and those were qualities for which I never lost respect."