I can’t work with ‘Mr Flash’ says Merkel as Blair bids for presidency

Tony Blair has been dubbed "Mr Flash" by the Germans, putting his hopes of becoming Europe's president in fresh doubt.

German diplomats have confirmed that Angela Merkel is increasingly doubtful about giving the job to the former British premier.

Mrs Merkel, who is having dinner with French president Nicolas Sarkozy tonight, has been influenced by Tory leader David Cameron's firm opposition to the Blair bandwagon. A diplomat also said she does not like the idea of "having to listen to Mr Flash all the time".

Moreover, the former German president Richard von Weiszaecker, a conservative who is close to Mrs Merkel, said that Mr Blair's record on giving the Iraq invasion "extraordinarily intensive backing" counted badly against him.

Mr von Weiszaecker said "his appointment would send out the wrong signal for Europe. It won't happen." Earlier today, Gordon Brown publicly backed Mr Blair as Europe's first full-time president today.

He told the Commons: "We have made clear that if this position is created ... and if former prime minister Tony Blair comes forward as a candidate, we would be very happy to support him."

The German chancellor and Mr Sarkozy were meeting in Paris where they are expected to discuss the pros and cons of giving Mr Blair the job. A united front by Europe's two biggest powerbrokers could either make Mr Blair a clear frontrunner or scupper his chances.

Mrs Merkel was said to be "spooked" by the opposition to Mr Blair from Mr Cameron's Conservatives while Mr Sarkozy was rumoured to be cooling on the idea. Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg also said today Mr Blair was "the wrong person for the job".

Mr Blair is said to fear humiliation if he steps forward only to be rejected.

But he is said to see the possibility of making history as Europe's most powerful figure as irresistible. There are worries that Foreign Secretary David Miliband may have harmed him by campaigning too enthusiastically. The exact nature of the job is still undefined.

Some leaders would prefer to have a chairman rather than a powerbroker. They could rally behind Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker.