'I cannot leave until I have sorted all of this mess out' The worsening situation in Iraq is fuelling speculation that Tony Blair will be forced to step down. But the Prime Minister has made it clear that he won't go without resolving the crisis, report MELISSA KITE and PATRICK HENNESSY

From: The Sunday Telegraph London | Date: May 16, 2004| Author: | Copyright information

As the tales of torture by British troops grew more lurid and shocking, the icy resolve of Tony Blair appeared to slip last week. The Prime Minister turned to one of his closest advisers and referred to the increasingly fevered speculation surrounding his ability to fight on at Number 10. "He said he cannot go until he has sorted this out," the close colleague and personal friend revealed. "He feels that he got us into this and he has got to get some improvement in Iraq before he thinks of standing down."

What was most striking was not Mr Blair's continuing desire to stay in the face of ...

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