Blair to challenge social model

TONY Blair last night threw down the gauntlet to France and Germany as he placed the overhaul of the traditional European "social model" at the centre of Britain's EU presidency.

The Prime Minister marked the first day of his six months at the helm of the EU by summoning a special summit to look at the long-term "sustainability" of the social model in the face of growing global competition.

The move looks set to put him on a fresh collision course with French President Jacques Chirac in their bitter battle for leadership within the EU.