Blair heart op went well, says Brown

British Prime Minister Tony Blair was recovering in hospital tonight after undergoing treatment for a recurring heart condition.

Chancellor Gordon Brown said the two-and-a-half-hour procedure, for which Mr Blair was sedated, had gone well.

Speaking from Washington, Mr Brown said: “I’ve been in touch with Downing Street this morning. I’m very pleased to hear his operation has gone well.”

Mr Blair was expected to remain at London’s Hammersmith Hospital overnight but return to his desk on Monday and continue with a visit to Africa next week.

Before being admitted, the Prime Minister tried to head off questions over his future by insisting he will, if elected, serve a full third term and then stand down.

But the dramatic declaration sparked fierce speculation about a long, public and bloody battle to succeed him.

And Mr Blair’s purchase of a luxury London home fuelled doubts that he will see it through to his chosen departure date.

Conservatives said the announcement turned Government into a battleground for potential Labour leaders.

Heir-apparent Chancellor Gordon Brown reportedly knew nothing of Mr Blair’s plans as he set out for IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington.

Tension between the pair has been ratcheted up again recently by the return of Alan Milburn to Cabinet.

The Blairite former health secretary, seen as a potential leadership challenger, has also been handed Mr Brown’s traditional role as election supremo.

Announcing his intentions in a series of TV interviews, Mr Blair insisted Mr Brown was still “very capable” of finally succeeding him at the end of his third term.

But his decision has handed the Chancellor’s rivals up to five years to frustrate his ambitions.