Surgeon rushed to No10 on motorbike

Consultant surgeon David Nott was rushed to No10 on a BMW motorcycle to examine Mr Blair.

Staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital were put on alert to to receive the Prime Minister as an emergency patient if he confirmed the diagnosis of appendicitis.

After thoroughly examining Mr Blair, however, Dr Nott decided he was not suffering from a serious condition and the Prime Minister was allowed to eat supper in his flat.

The Prime Minister's office made light of the incident. When rumours first circulated last night, callers were told that Mr Blair was working on a speech.

But suspicions that No10 have made light of serious health worries about the Prime Minister have been circulating since former president Bill Clinton said Mr Blair's heart troubles were a long-standing condition, contradicting the official line.

Last week, it was claimed that Mr Blair had also told the Queen he had had trouble with an irregular heartbeat.