Blair criticizes Brown's leadership

Embattled British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suffered another blow today with the publication of a memo in which Tony Blair …

Embattled British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suffered another blow today with the publication of a memo in which Tony Blair heaps scorn on his sperformance in office.

The memo, which the Mail on Sundaynewspaper said was written by mr Blair to colleagues last year, sees the former prime minister accuse Gordon Brown's government of "a lamentable confusion of tactics and strategy" and of failing to learn lessons.

Written in the aftermath of Mr Brown's decision not call an early election that might have consolidated his leadership, the dispatch says poor decision-making has made Conservative leader David Cameron look substantial and a viable choice for office.

"The real problem was not the brilliance of the Tory conference, but the hubris and vacuity of our own. This meant the Tories, by having something to say on policy, appeared substantial and to represent the future," Mr Blair wrote.

"There has been a lamentable confusion of tactics and strategy. At present, there is every indication that the lessons will not be learnt."

Mr Blair's office would not confirm or deny that he had written the memo.

"Tony Blair continues to be 100 percent supportive of Gordon Brown and the government," a spokesman said.

Mr Blair sent a watered-down version of the memo to Mr Brown, the paper said. It is not known how that was received.

Reuters