Britain's ambassador to the UN has denied that there is any split with the US over the coalition's powers in Iraq after June 30.

Sir Emyr Jones-Parry said there is "no divergence" on the control of troops after the handover of power.

"The prime minister said that in terms of major operations, it would be quite natural to look for the consent of a sovereign Iraqi government," he added.

"That consent may be necessary for certain sorts of operations, but it does not mean in any sense the forces... will come under Iraqi command. They don't."

According to the Sun, Tony Blair will use the summit marking the 60th anniversary of D-Day next month to discuss Iraq with other world leaders.

The prime minister used an appearance in the Commons yesterday to dismiss reports of a rift with Washington.

But a new edition of a book by journalist John Kampfner alleges that Blair tried to block the US inquiry into intelligence on Iraq commissioned by President Bush.