Tony Blair today formally told his Cabinet he would announce his plans to step down as Labour Party leader and British Prime Minister in a speech in his constituency, Downing Street confirmed.

Tony Blair is expected to announce he is standing down as Labour leader today after a decade in Downing Street, paving the way for Gordon Brown to succeed him as British Prime Minister.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair for talks at Sedgefield, Co Durham.