Blair's record of complaints

Blair furious at claims over funeral

By Nick Assinder BBC News Online political correspondent

If ever the press complaints commission objects to its workload it can probably lay much of the blame at the prime minister's feet.

Since he has been in Downing Street, Tony Blair has regularly complained about the media to the PCC - five times at least - and he usually wins.

His right hand man Alastair Campbell has threatened to take newspapers and broadcasters to the commission on many more occasions.

Blairs protective of children

And Downing Street has occasionally sought advice from the PCC over particular issues, without launching formal complaints.

Tory leaders William Hague, and Iain Duncan Smith and former prime minister John Major have not had occasion to use the commission's services.

Media intrusion

But the prime minister's latest complaint is different from his previous ones.

All his past objections have concerned the treatment of his children - Euan allegedly fancying a place at Oxford university, for example.

The prime minister has always insisted that he is determined his children should not face undue media intrusion because of his position. And he has pursued that policy relentlessly.

His detractors claim that he is ready to use his children when it suits him, such as pictures on the doorstep of No 10 after the election.

But he insists these picture opportunities are part of a commonsense deal with the media to give them reasonable access while still preserving his family's privacy.

This complaint is different and more controversial as it reflects the prime minister's anger at stories about his own behaviour.

Boost his image

He is said to be furious at the claim that he attempted to get a more prominent role for himself during the Queen Mother's lying in state.

The complaint came on the same day he prepared to make a statement to MPs about celebrations for the Queen's golden jubilee.

And the row looks like it may come to a head just as the jubilee celebrations also reach a climax.

What has apparently infuriated the prime minister are suggestions that he would try to use the Queen Mother's funeral to boost his own status and image.

He faced criticism from some quarters for his reaction to Princess Diana's death.

And he was clearly eager to avoid similar criticisms after the Queen Mother's death.

But, with the Spectator, Evening Standard and Mail on Sunday insisting their account of event is true this row is set to run and run.