Blair haunted by his health problems

TONY Blair last night broke the best-kept secret in British politics, revealing that the heart condition that will hospitalise him today has been hanging over him and his premiership for months.

By admitting that he had suffered a second atrial flutter in recent weeks, Mr Blair demolished the assurances Downing Street has been giving about his health since the first attack almost a year ago.

Then, he was admitted to hospital for an electro-shock treatment to correct a heart condition.

At the time, Downing Street said it was supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT, which is often described as an electrical short-circuiting of the heart and causes the pulse to raise, sometimes above 200 beats per minute.

Last night, Downing Street admitted that last October’s statements had not been wholly accurate: Mr Blair suffered an atrial flutter last year, and not SVT.

The Prime Minister said afterwards that it was the first time he had suffered a heart problem, and Downing Street, desperate to quell the speculation about Mr Blair’s position that inevitably followed, later briefed journalists that all the medical advice suggested that the condition was not likely to occur again.

But last night Mr Blair confirmed that it had occurred again "a couple of months ago", although he gave no more details.

Instead, he sought to play down the condition, insisting the treatment was "routine" and calling his condition "something you should get fixed".

"It’s not particularly alarming but it’s something that you should get fixed - it’s a routine procedure" he said to the BBC in his first broadcast statement on the matter. "I’ve had it for the last couple of months and it’s not impeded me doing my work and feeling fine but it is as well to get it done," he added.

The Prime Minister prides himself on being in shape, playing tennis and running on the treadmill to keep fit. His apartment above Downing Street has a range of fitness equipment, and his aides are instructed to build time for work-outs into his daily diary.

Earlier this year, in marking his 51st birthday, he told a magazine that he now weighs about 13 stone, less than he did a decade ago.

Ministers and officials frequently comment on just how physically resilient Mr Blair is, always appearing brim-full of energy. One Labour official who had seen the Prime Minister privately several times at the Labour conference had a one-word response to news of his new health scare: "Incredible."

Jack McConnell, the First Minister, last night issued a statement testifying to the Prime Minister’s resilience.

"Tony Blair is one of the healthiest people I know and I am sure he will be back at work soon," he said. "I wish him well for his procedure tomorrow and look forward to working with him in the future."

A spokesman for Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, said: "His thoughts will be with the Prime Minister throughout the weekend and this evening he sent Tony a personal message of support."

Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, also issued a statement, saying: "I am sorry to hear about the Prime Minister’s ill health. I wish him well and a speedy recovery."

Last night’s announcement had been planned in the utmost secrecy at Downing Street, the culmination of work that had begun almost as soon as Mr Blair had his second attack in the summer.

The timing of the statement betrays considerable political nous. Any Labour upset in the Hartlepool by-election yesterday could have triggered a new round of speculation about Labour’s leadership, but Mr Blair has now trumped that story with his own.

The odds of concealing the story until the very last minute were aided by its coming at the end of the Labour annual conference in Brighton, too.

As the conference closed yesterday afternoon, most MPs, party officials and political journalists were wearily heading home, well away from either the over-heated reception rooms of the conference or the corridors and bars of Westminster, both almost impossible places to keep a secret for more than a few minutes.

Even some of the major players in the drama were out of contact. Mr Brown was on his way to Washington for the G8 meeting and the annual meeting of the IMF, arriving late last night.

The broadcasters chosen to carry out brief interviews with Mr Blair explaining his condition and his political plans were two of the most respected journalists at Westminster, Andrew Marr of the BBC and Adam Boulton of Sky News.

Both were given the shortest possible notice, sworn to the utmost secrecy, and not even told exactly what it was the Prime Minister wanted to talk about.

The Press Association, which carries official announcements to newspapers and other media sources, was told to expect a statement to be issued at 10pm.

Inevitably, any surprise announcement involving the head of government will get attention, and word started to leak: something was coming, something big. Journalists began bombarding Downing Street and senior ministers with phone calls and pager messages. At first, the vow of silence held, and callers were simply told: an announcement will be made at 10pm. Just be patient, and wait.

When the Prime Minister’s health and position are at stake, patience will always be limited, and Downing Street insiders began to open up around 9pm, confirming details of the medical procedure today, Mr Blair’s plans to step down in time, and even his choice of house when he does come to leave Downing Street.

HOW PROCEDURE CORRECTS 'SHORT CIRCUIT' IN THE HEART

CARDIAC catheter ablations, designed to restore the normal rhythm of the heart, are performed on thousands of patients every year, with a success rate of more than 90 per cent.

The procedure aims to correct irregular heartbeats caused by a "short circuit" in the network of nerves within the heart walls. The condition can reduce the efficiency of the heart’s pumping action, leading to palpitations that can be felt in the chest.

Ablations are a non-surgical procedure developed to replace traditional drug treatments that are less effective. During the process, catheters containing electrical sensors are inserted via large veins into the heart. Pulses of energy sent through the catheters destroy the short circuit.

Dr Punit Ramrakha, who treated the Prime Minister last year when he needed cardioversion, said patients normally spend the night after the procedure in hospital and are able to return to work after two or three days.

ALASTAIR JAMIESON

SUPPORT FROM COLLEAGUES

WARM words of support came from both political friends and foes of the Prime Minister last night.

A spokesman for Gordon Brown said: "The Chancellor arrived in Washington this evening for the G8 meeting and the annual meeting of the IMF but his thoughts will be with the Prime Minister throughout the weekend and this evening he sent Tony a personal message of support."

Michael Howard, the Tory leader, said: "I am sorry to hear about the Prime Minister’s ill health. I wish him well and a speedy recovery."

Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: "I wish the Prime Minister all the best for his treatment."

Jack McConnell, the First Minister, said: "Tony Blair is one of the healthiest people I know and I am sure he will be back at work soon. I wish him well for his procedure and look forward to working with him in the future."

John Burton, Mr Blair’s constituency agent, said: "I am pretty relaxed about it, I know he is in good form and I am confident he is OK. I think three terms is enough. This is the most difficult job."