Tony Blair responds to question about why people hate him so fundamentally

'I don't know. There may be lots of reasons for it. Politics is a strange business'

Tony Blair has said he does not know why people hate him "so fundamentally".

Mr Blair declined to respond when he was asked about claims Jeremy Corbyn is holding onto the Labour leadership until he can "crucify" him for being a war criminal.

The former Prime Minister said he wanted to wait until the report was published on Wednesday before responding to his critics.

"I've said many times over these last years I'll wait for the report and then I will make my views known and express myself fully and properly," he told Sky News' Murnaghan programme.

"I've taken the view we should wait for the report to be published and then I'll express myself, I'm not getting into either the politics or the detail of it before we actually see it."

Mr Blair was then asked: "There must be times when you wonder, and other people wonder, why do sections of the very party that you devoted your political life and soul to... why do they hate you so fundamentally?"

After appearing to wince at the question,he answered: "I don't know. There may be lots of reasons for it. Politics is a strange business.

"But you've got to think back, I had also great times leading the Labour Party and despite all the controversies over issues like Iraq there were many good things that we managed to do for the country.

He added: "So you've got to take a long view of this and think that, in the end whatever people say, politics today is a pretty rough business.

"People say pretty unpleasant things about each other. There's still an important job to be done and a job which if you manage to get to it and do it as leader of the Labour Party or Prime Minister you should count yourself privileged."

Mr Blair refused to answer when asked further about calls for him to be arrested and taken to the International Criminal Court.

"I think it's best we wait for Wednesday and then let's see what the report brings," he said. "When that comes, then I can respond properly. But it's not possible and certainly not really appropriate for me to respond today."

He added: "Let's wait and see. As I say, there will be a very full debate.

"And I can absolutely assure you I'll be participating very fully."