'War' over Blair role

The Conservative Party has warned European leaders they face a "five-year war" with Britain if they install Tony Blair as European President.

The warning came as Gordon Brown made his first public declaration of support for Blair's still-undeclared candidacy.

EU leaders were due to meet in Brussels overnight to discuss the role of the first permanent President of the European Council.

But a shadow Tory minister said: "The message is clear: you can have President Blair and five years of internecine warfare with Britain over Europe; or you can have another president and a good working relationship."