Spin row over Blair speech

Tony Blair is embroiled in a spin row after claims he backed down from an attack on militant unions.

The dispute flared after the Premier spoke at a dinner for TUC bosses.

A text of his speech put out in advance said union hopes for a radical socialist government were an "abiding delusion".

But at least 10 union leaders at the gathering insisted Mr Blair did not use the phrase. They said his tone was far less confrontational.

Bily Hayes, leader of the communication workers, said Mr Blair had been "warm" towards the TUC.

Downing Street admitted he may not have used the exact words attributed to him but insisted that the main thrust of his comments still stood.

The row handed union leaders a propaganda coup and obscured Mr Blair's message that unions must end demands for Left-wing policies.

They were set to renew attacks on the PM over Iraq and foundation hospitals at the TUC conference today.

Mr Blair is likely to be put on the spot by Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith at the first Prime Minister's Questions since the summer break.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said it was "extraordinary" Mr Blair had changed the wording of his speech and claimed it was deliberate.

He said: "It is clear they are spinning certain messages.

"Those who thought the end of spin was nigh have been given a nasty shock."

Downing Street said: "It may not have been exactly the words of the sheet but the central message was the same. There was no question of backing down."