Tony Blair has admitted that the death of Dr David Kelly will have an impact on the way politicians and journalists operate in future.

Admitting that the issue of trust was important following the Iraq war, the prime minister said lessons would have to be learned.

In the wake of Dr Kelly's death the prime minister said there were "questions for both side of the political culture to look at".

But he would not comment specifically on the Kelly affair - stressing that Lord Hutton would examine the issues during his inquiry.

He said there were "very legitimate questions to be asked and answered" but insisted they should be examined by the law lord.

The prime minister has said he intends to cooperate in any way possible with the inquiry into the suicide of the government scientist.

Asked about the row with the BBC, Blair said "all we ever wanted was an incorrect story corrected".

On the future of Iraq, he told journalists that it was important that Saddam was removed "one way or another".

"I think Iraq will be a significantly better place because of the action we have taken," he said.

The prime minister said that Iraq is now being run as a "proper country" for the first time in decades.

Recent events appear to make it more likely that coalition forces can "get Saddam", Blair added.

"I think that the most important thing is that he ceases to be an obstacle to progress in Iraq," he said.

"The most important thing is that he is removed as an obstacle one way or another."

During the transition process he conceded, however, that there would be "difficulties" on the ground.

Commenting on the failure to uncover any weapons of mass destruction, he said: "There are interviews being continued with the experts and scientists working on the programmes.

"I am not going to say anything about the content of those things, but I simply say to people that it a good idea to wait until that group is in a position to report."

Conceding that the EU had been deeply divided over the Iraq war, Blair said there was "a genuine desire not to repeat it if at all possible".

His commitment to ridding the world of weapons of mass destruction remained undiminished.

"I just tell you absolutely passionately I believe this is the security threat of the 21st century," Blair told reporters.

On the wider issue of the Middle East peace process, the prime minister said "practical progress" could be achieved.

"I think there is every possibility that Iraq in retrospect will be seen, whatever else it is seen as, as a transformative event for prospects in the Middle East," he said.

In the early stages of the press conference, Blair was quizzed on the future of his chief spindoctor, Alastair Campbell.

The prime minister said he was not willing to "feed the speculation" surrounding the government's communications director.

Quizzed about the effect of recent events on his premiership Blair insisted his "appetite for doing the job is undiminished".

Following his press grilling it is thought that the prime minister will head to Barbados. Blair and his family will holiday in the home of Sir Cliff Richard.