Tony Blair used an appearance on ITV's "Ask the Leader" last night to say that he was no longer going to "beg" people to believe him on Iraq.

During a stormy live question and answer session, the prime minster told the audience: "I have given up trying to persuade people over this.

"I don't care if people criticise me over it, but I did it honestly."

Blair was also asked if he knew the size of Britain's borrowing and admitted that he did not.

When the programme's presenter, Jonathan Dimbleby, retorted: "We should have Gordon Brown here", Blair responded: "Yes, and we could put David here too," referring to Dimbleby's brother.