Blair: Economic Problems In Britain Not Brown's Fault

June 5, 2008 1:22 p.m. EST

London, England (AHN) - Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair defended his successor Gordon Brown over the numerous woes Britain is facing. Blair attributed the economic difficulties to global developments such as soaring prices of fuel and food and the tight credit, rather than blame them on Brown's policies.

Blair made the remarks in an interview with GMTV. He explained, quoted by the Guardian Unlimited, "It's difficult for all leaders at the moment around the western world. They have got things that are happening that, to be fair to them, is not really their individual fault... It is tough at the moment and I continue to give them my full support and I hope they succeed and do well and I want them to."

He saidd the credit crunch gripping Britain had its roots in the U.S. subprime crisis.

Meanwhile, another Brown policy that would likely be criticized again by the Tories is the prime minister's statement Thursday that the police and prosecutors should prosecute more 16- and 17-year old Britons found carrying knives.

There was a recent rise in knifing incidents involving British youth. This early, Brown's critics had shot down his policy as "gesture politics".