David Cameron has developed a "special relationship" with his Labour predecessor Tony Blair, and speaks regularly with him about being Prime Minister, it was claimed today.
Downing Street declined to comment on a report in the Daily Mail which said Blair had visited the PM at his country residence Chequers and had spoken to him by phone at least seven times since he took power.
The purpose of the talks was to update Cameron on developments in the Middle East, in Blair's role as international envoy, said the paper.
But it quoted an unnamed senior source as saying that their conversations range beyond the Middle East to take in public service reform, the euro crisis and the economy.
"They have a lot to talk about," said the source. "It is quite a special relationship between one Prime Minister and another. Who else knows what you're going through?
"They ostensibly talk about the Middle East but when you've got him on the phone it is natural to talk politics."
A spokesman for Blair said: "Of course, from time to time he speaks to the PM, particularly in his role as Quartet Representative, as he does with many world leaders.
"But he does not routinely advise the PM on domestic or other policy."