LONDON, 28 October 2003 — Questions about British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s health refused to go away yesterday when a Downing Street statement designed to calm fears instead fueled speculation.

On Sunday former US President Bill Clinton revealed he knew five years ago that the British leader had a heart problem.

In a carefully worded statement, a No. 10 spokesman yesterday said the prime minister had “no long-term serious heart condition.”

But when lobby correspondents during yesterday’s briefing bombarded him with questions the spokesman would not be drawn.

He said he was “mystified by the report” of Clinton’s claim, adding he had no knowledge of any previous heart condition which might have afflicted the prime minister.

On Oct. 20, 50-year-old Blair, a father of four, was taken to hospital with an irregular heartbeat requiring electric shock treatment.

Bill Clinton, during a visit to Barcelona at the weekend told reporters that Blair had told him of a minor heart condition shortly after his 1997 election victory. “We have known about this for a long time. He told me about it quite a few years ago,” he said

“As soon as I heard what happened I called to check he was OK. We had a talk and he sounded in good shape... Basically, the whole problem is brought about by a combination of too little sleep and too much coffee.”

But the spokesman did not comment further on Clinton’s claim except to say the condition “would have required medical attention then as it did last week,” the spokesman said. However, the lobby briefing fueled speculation at a time when Blair is trying to assure the public of his good health. In his monthly meeting with the press last Thursday he answered questions for some 35 minutes more than the usual 50 to show he was in good shape.

There is no immediate challenge to Blair’s leadership, but continuous speculation about his heart condition could be a gift to the left wing of the ruling Labour Party.

They are unhappy with Blair’s policies on health, education and the Iraq war and would like Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to take over.