The partner of a British soldier killed in Iraq has blamed Tony Blair for his death.

The prime minister was told of the death of Guardsman Anthony John Wakefield as he was holding a press conference in southwest London yesterday and immediately passed his condolences to the family.

Guardsman Wakefield died after a home-made bomb exploded while he was on patrol near the town of al-Amarah at about midnight Iraqi time on Sunday.

His widow, speaking to ITV News, said that had it not been for Blair’s actions, “my children would still have their father today and I really do blame him for that,” she added.

Meanwhile writing in today's Independent Paul Bigley, whose brother was killed in Iraq, claims Jack Straw privately urged him to issue a public apology to Tony Blair to avoid criticism damaging Labour's bid for a third election victory.