Blair is back and talking up Miliband

The news emerged as Mr Blair appeared alongside Ed Miliband at a party fundraising dinner to give his most high-profile endorsement yet of his successor-but-one as Labour leader.

Despite Mr Miliband’s efforts to distance himself from Blair’s New Labour agenda, the former prime minister was expected to say that he supported him and the “new generation” at the helm of the party.

Speaking to an audience of sporting figures at the pre-Olympics dinner at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in north London, Mr Blair was due to say: “We have here tonight many successful icons from British sport. All of them winners. What does it take? Endurance. Mental focus. The desire to win. Teamwork. Bit like politics then.

“Today there’s a new generation under Ed’s leadership and a new team behind him.

“It’s an honour to be here tonight to support our party, whose values and principles I have always believed in.

“And together we can support this great British achievement in hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – a proud time for Britain.”