Cherie Blair denies persuading Tony to convert to faith

BY NICK PISA IN ROME
CHERIE BLAIR has denied being the driving force behind her husband’s conversion to Catholicism, days after he said it had “all started” with her.
The former Prime Minister switched from the Church of England to Catholicism two years ago when his time as Prime Minister ended because he felt he could not convert while in office.
Speaking recently at a religious convention he had described the move as “coming home” and said “this is now where my heart is”.
He told the Communion and Liberation meeting in the Italian seaside resort of Rimini: “Frankly this all began with my wife. I began to go to Mass and we went together. We could have gone to an Anglican or Catholic church – guess who won?” But in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica when asked about his comments Mrs Blair said: “He did it of his own free will – I did not force him but obviously I was delighted.
“Certainly it was an important part of my life – I have always been a fervent Catholic.” In her wide-ranging interview Mrs Blair also touched on her time in Downing Street and said she was delighted to no longer be there.
She said: “Believe me I am very happy to not have been in Downing Street when Carla Bruni came on an official visit.
“At least they couldn’t compare our bottoms – I could never have competed with a former model.” Speaking of her husband’s relationship with his successor Gordon Brown, Mrs Blair said: “Tony and Gordon entered Parliament at the same time and from here was born a healthy rivalry between the two but also a close friendship.
“Gordon with his analytical mentality taught my husband how to write a press statement, while probably absorbing Tony’s charisma and rhetoric. Both have a fine sense of humour.” Mrs Blair added that he main memories of life in Downing Street were her two visits to the Vatican where she met first Pope John Paul II and later Pope Benedict XVI.
She said: “Walking through the corridors of the Vatican dressed in black and admiring the works of art was a memorable experience. During our first visit Leo, who was two, sat on the Pope’s chair much to the amusement of Pope John Paul.
“Then there was the Clinton visit during which Stevie Wonder sang ‘My Cherie Amour’ to me.” When asked about her worst experience Mrs Blair said:”My miscarriage. Two years after Leo was born at 47 I was newly pregnant and I lost the baby. We were about to go on holiday and Alistair Campbell called and asked us for a statement to explain why the holiday had been cancelled. We had to tell the truth because otherwise there would have been speculation that we were divorcing.” Mrs Blair also revealed how her children had been taunted at school over the Iraq war and said: “They had some really difficult moments at school when after troops were sent to Iraq everybody called their father a liar.” Mrs Blair also spoke of her husband’s possible leadership of the European Union and said: “The post doesn’t properly exist yet, so I can only answer that when it has been created.
“For the moment I see Tony very little, he spends at least 10 days a month in the Middle East in his position as mediator.” She also spoke of the moment in 2004 when Gordon Brown tried to take over from her husband and said: “In effect 2004 was a little premature for Tony to leave Downing Street – there were a lot of ques tions pending, such as Iraq and it was down to him to resolve them.” When asked if she thought Labour could win next year’s General Election Mrs Blair told La Repubblica: “Certainly – I’m an optimist. I will personally get involved in the electoral campaign.” Speaking of domestic life Mrs Blair said: “Tony is a lawyer as well but he doesn’t really have any desire to hear about my cases, which are above all complicated.” She added: “Both my children and I gave him our opinions on matters of state but obviously it was always him who took the political decisions.”