Tony Blair phoned a south Essex man to discuss the Iraq war - unaware he was talking to a notorious criminal with a violent past, it emerged today.

It was only towards the end of their chat that the Prime Minister realised the man he called was John "Gaffer" Rollinson, a right-wing Tory who has been in prison for acts of brutality.

And John, once recruited by the National Front to stir up civil unrest, said today: "I don't think he will be ringing again."

The amazing call from 10 Downing Street came after John wrote to the Premier supporting his stand on the Iraq situation.

John, 52, said he was "gobsmacked" when the phone call came. He had just returned from London club Ministry of Sound where his son, John, 17, was working as a DJ.

He said: "I received a letter saying the Prime Minister has asked to thank you for your letter, and then he called. The voice said 'is that John Rollinson?' and I said 'I don't know mate you rang me.' When he starting speaking I knew who it was."

John, who has previously stood as a Conservative candidate in South Ockendon, where he lives, said in his letter: "Tony Blair, I never dreamed I would be writing this letter to you. You stood with America and stayed with America, and despite the slagging off from your party you stayed."

John said he wrote the letter because he is proud of his country and was sick and tired of people moaning.

He said: "I love England. People should love it and respect the laws. I have been in prison and been bankrupt but that is my doing, not the country's. I am passionate about it.

"Tony Blair is a man of England and has stood by his beliefs and I admire him for that. He does stand to lose his job, but I think he will win the next election. He has the support of the underworld."

John, who has co-written a book about his violent past, said he told Mr Blair of his criminal history later on their conversation.

He said: "I told him to buy my book, and once he reads that, he won't ring again."

He refused to divulge exactly what was said between the pair, because it was "confidential."

A spokesman for Downing Street said: "Mr Blair does regularly speak to members of the public regarding letters that are sent it. But the conversations are private. It is not unusual for him to talk to people."

Published Friday, April 18, 2003

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