Tony Blair and Gordon Brown appeared to have put their differences aside today as they came together for the Pope's keynote address to leading MPs in Westminster. The former Labour Prime Ministers sat side-by-side in Westminster Hall, central London, to hear Pope Benedict XVI's speech. The long-standing feud between the two men during Labour's 13 years in power was recently sparked off again after the publication of Mr Blair's outspoken memoirs. Side-by-side: Gordon Brown (left) and Tony Blair( right) appeared to put their differences to one side for the Pope's address at Westminster Hall this afternoon Past relations: Mr Blair's wife Cherie joined the former Prime Ministers for the speech to leading MPs Both men though are well known for their religious beliefs - with Mr Brown regularly talking about his faith and Mr Blair converting to Catholicism shortly after leaving Downing Street - and appeared determined not to let their past grievances overshadow the Pope's visit to the UK. The pair have rarely been seen in public together since Mr Blair left Downing Street in 2007. In his recent book, the former Labour leader complained that his then-Chancellor was 'maddening' to work with, said he always knew Mr Brown would be a disaster as PM and claimed his long-time rival had 'zero' emotional intelligence. Unlike his predecessor, Mr Brown has chosen to shun the limelight since leaving office earlier this year, although it was announced earlier this week the 59-year-old will give a lecture on the global economy at Harvard University in the U.S. in the next coming days. Pope Benedict XVI, with Commons Speaker John Bercow (right), was greeted by (from left) Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, Cherie Blair, Lady Norma Major, Sir John Major, Baroness Thatcher, William Hague and Nick Clegg Special meeting: The Pope spoke with the two former Prime Ministers at Westminster Hall on Friday All smiles: Mr Brown appeared willing to forgive the recent criticism levelled at him by Mr Blair in his book The pair were joined in Westminster by Mr Blair's wife Cherie who famously struggled to keep her feelings towards Mr Brown under wraps and was caught calling him a 'liar' during a Labour party conference in 2006, after the former Chancellor described how much he had enjoyed working with her husband. The trio were pictured smiling and laughing at this afternoon, though, with Mr Brown seemingly ready to forgive the wave to criticism leveled at him in recent weeks. A number of Labour MPs have come out against Mr Blair's eagerly-awaited book, claiming the re-opening of old wounds has been an unwelcome distraction as the party prepares to elect a new leader during the upcoming conference season. High profile visit: Pope Benedict XVI (pictured here, second left, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, left) led an assembly of Catholic school children earlier in the day Demonstrations in Dublin earlier this month forced the cancellation of numerous book signings and public appearances by Mr Blair, but his book is still flying off the shelves and has now entered the top ten bestselling chart in the US. Also in attendance on Friday were former Conservative Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major. Current PM David Cameron missed the address though to attend the funeral of his father Ian, who died last week. Mr Cameron will instead meet the Pontiff personally for talks later in the day. The Pope flew to London from Scotland yesterday and this morning led an assembly of 4,000 Catholic school children in west London. The prayer service in Westminster this afternoon was marred slightly by demonstrations outside the famous hall, with people protesting against the Vatican's record on gay rights and the recent abuse scandals involving the church.Tony Blair and Gordon Brown bury their long-standing differences to celebrate Pope's visit
Last updated at 7:20 PM on 17th September 2010
Sunday, 19 September 2010
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