Tony Blair rules out returning to frontline politics and denies calling Jeremy Corbyn a ‘nutter’
Former prime minister rules out seeking a Brexit-related role but wants to stay part of the debate
TONY BLAIR has ruled out making a return to frontline politics and denied claims that he called the current Labour leader a "nutter".
A spokesperson for the former Prime Minister said he still wants to be "part of the debate" around Britain leaving the EU, and he still wants to be involved in political life "because the centre ground is currently vacant".
A statement released this morning said: "Mr Blair is not returning to frontline politics neither is he seeking a Brexit-related role.
"He has given many interviews, written articles and also campaigned in the EU referendum, he wants to continue to be part of the debate not least because the centre ground is currently vacant."
But the former prime minister is understood to have met with George Osborne, the former Chancellor, to discuss Britain's relationships with the EU.
Mr Blair also sought to distance himself from comments made over the weekend where a source told the Sunday Times that the former PM thought Theresa May was a "lightweight" and Jeremy Corbyn was a "nutter.
A source apparently close to Mr Blair had also told the Sunday Times: "He thinks there's a massive hold in British politics that he can fill."
"He has not described the Prime Minister as a 'lightweight' nor used the term 'nutter' to describe anyone," a spokesperson said.
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Hints of the return of Mr Blair was met with glee from many Brexiteers who said that his involvement for a "hokey-cokey Brexit" would boost support for a clean break with the bloc.
Tory MPs welcomed his decision to set up a new office near to Westminster, and said that the anger towards the former leader would bolster support for Brexit.
Owen Paterson, the former Environment Secretary, said it was "glorious news".
"For this he must win the international prize for lack of self awareness this year," he added.
The former prime minister will open a new not-for-profit organisation to focus on "effective governance in some of the world's poorest nations; countering violent extremism; and forging a new regional approach to peace in the Middle East."
His office also said that Brexit would feature in his comments as it was of "huge importance to the country".
More details are expected in the new year.
