Blair: Turner proposals led to "ugliest" Brown showdown

In his memoirs, A Journey , published today, Blair said the terse meeting in March 2006 triggered the frostiest period in the relationship between the two former Labour leaders amid the party donation scandal.

Blair claimed he and then pensions minister John Hutton were all in favour of Turner’s proposals on auto enrolment, but Brown was firmly against.

The meeting on March 15 was arranged to clear the air following a “huge set-to” over the proposals, but it coincided with revelations and leaks about party donations. Blair was due to give his final decision on the implementation of Turner’s proposals in a meeting with Hutton later that day.

“It was going to be a very tough meeting, I was in no doubt about that,” recalled Blair.

“When Gordon came in, he was in a venomous mood. I can truly say it was the ugliest meeting we ever had.”

Blair claimed Brown began the meeting by talking about the damaging party loans rather than pensions – saying he felt he should call for an inquiry.

Blair wrote: “The temperature, already well below freezing point, went arctic when he then said, ‘well, it depends on this afternoon’s meeting’.

“If I would agree to shelve the Turner proposals, he would not do it [call for an inquiry]. But if I persisted, he would.”

Blair added: “It was not pleasant and there were things said that should remain in the privacy of that room and our recollection. Suffice to say, he felt I was ruining his inheritance and I felt he was ruining my legacy.

“He believed the policy was wrong; I thought it was right. He made a threat; I disdained it.”

At the later meeting with Hutton, Blair insisted the government should proceed with Turner’s proposals. Hours later, party treasurer Jack Dromey called for an inquiry into the party donation allegations.

Blair resigned the following year. The party donation scandal led to him becoming the first ever prime minister to be formally questioned by police.