AL-QAIDA fanatics plotted to gun down Tony and Cherie Blair during the Golden Jubilee celebrations, former Metropolitan Police chief John Stevens claimed yesterday.

BEAMING proudly on the steps of Number 10 for a third — and final — time the Blairs yesterday offered a rare glimpse of a family that has grown up largely away from the public eye.

The UK's main parties were engaged in an intensive effort today to get their supporters out to vote in the general election that will decide whether Tony Blair wins a historic third term.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi laid on a special treat for his holiday guest Tony Blair – a firework display spelling out the words “Viva Tony”.

By Jon Smith BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman insisted yesterday it was entirely up to the premier and his wife if they saw lifestyle guru Carole Caplin "in a personal capacity".

THE world will be plunged into a “living nightmare” if it fails to deal with Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction, British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned yesterday.

CONVICTED fraudster Peter Foster yesterday portrayed himself as the victim of a blackmail plot and media character assassination — and said he had never set out to “sting” the Blairs.

Cherie Blair today admitted that convicted fraudster Peter Foster had helped her buy two flats in Bristol at a discount and said any “misunderstanding” between No 10 and the media on the issue had been entirely her fault.

CHERIE BLAIR was last night recovering after suffering a miscarriage, Downing Street said. The wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair was taken to hospital after falling ill at Number 10 last night.

Irish airline Ryanair is to jet British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his family on holiday to the south of France.