New Labour expresses outrage over Cherie Blair's 'money-grabbing' memoirs

London, May 12 : Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie's controversial disclosures in her one million pound memoirs has raised the hackled of New Labour, which claims that she is only out to make a fast buck.

During a recent interview to The Sun, Cherie Blair revealed that Gordon Brown's wife Sarah was more popular than she had been only because a team of image-makers were helping her.

Furious Labour aides swiftly denied the claim. They said Mrs Blair was wrong and added that she had two full-time aides in No 10 and help from a Labour spin doctor Hilary Coffman. Sarah Brown, on the other hand, has one full-time aide and one part-time.

One minister said: "The truth is these type of books say more about the person cashing in than anything."

And another MP said: "People do not like these quit-and-tell memoirs. Those involved may make a bit of money, but they do not come out with any dignity."

Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, an ally of Brown, yesterday treated Cherie Blair's remarks with scorn.

"Cherie's got a book to sell. It seems to be the time of year for memoirs. I think the important thing which actually is what people care about is the fact that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown working together delivered 10 years of economic prosperity," she said.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband refused to comment, saying: "I don't do book reviews."

According to The Mirror, Brown is said to be furious at Mrs Blair after the release date of her memoirs Speaking For Myself was hurriedly brought forward from October reportedly to cash in on his local election humiliation.

Senior sources said the first Downing Street knew of publication was on Friday night - just hours before the first instalment appeared in a newspaper on Saturday.

Blair's memoir extract and interview included a series of seemingly bizarre claims.

She said she would be happy to campaign for Brown.

"I have been a Labour person since I was 16 and even before that and I know they are the best party for the country and I want to see them win again. I would be delighted to campaign for them," she said.

ANI