Blair's statement in full

This is the full text of Tony Blair's statement to the TUC conference on Tuesday afternoon:

"There have been the most terrible, shocking events taking place in the United States of America within the last hour or so, including two hijacked planes being flown deliberately into the World Trade Center.

I'm afraid we can only imagine the terror and the carnage there

Tony Blair

"I'm afraid we can only imagine the terror and the carnage there, and the many, many innocent people that will have lost their lives.

"I know that you would want to join with me in sending the deepest condolences to President Bush and to the American people on behalf of the British people at these terrible events.

"This mass terrorism is the new evil in our world today. It is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly indifferent to the sanctity of human life and we, the democracies of this world, are going to have to come together to fight it together and eradicate this evil completely from our world.

"Delegates, I hope you will understand that I don't believe it would be appropriate to carry on with the speech I was going to give you today.

"I know I have issued copies of the speech, we will make sure all delegates get copies of the speech but I think inappropriate to give that speech now, here.

"I will obviously want to carry on the discussion we have had about this issues that concern us.

"I will now return to London and once again I thank you for your indulgence here.

"I am very, very sorry it has worked out the way it has but I know that you would want to join with me in offering our deepest sympathy to the American people and our absolute shock and outrage at what has happened."