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Tony Blair has defended his decision to pose for a photo with the far-right new President of Brazil.

The former Prime Minister sparked fury after the picture of him with Jair Bolsonaro emerged from the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The snap provoked anger among online commentators who branded it "utterly inexcusable" and branded Bolsonaro a "neofascist thug".

Labour MP Chris Williamson tweeted: "Bolsonaro's domestic agenda for Brazil and his plans for environmental degradation should make him an international pariah."

Left-wing columnist Owen Jones added: " Tony Blair does PR stunts with racist gay hating fascist Bolsonaro, when will his last apologists stop defending him, and when will he be expelled from the Labour Party."

But Mr Blair hit back today in a statement attacking pundits who "only speak to people who already agree with you on Twitter ".

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

A spokesman for Mr Blair told the Mirror: "It is possible to be civil towards someone who does not share your world view, dialogue is important.

"Unless you think you should only speak to people who already agree with you on Twitter."

The spokesman said there was no formal or pre-arranged meeting between Mr Blair and Bolsonaro at the elite Swiss gathering.

He added: "They were both in an open space and President Bolsonaro simply walked up and introduced himself and asked his photographer to take a picture.

"This all took place in under a minute."

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Bolsonaro was sworn in on January 1 as Brazil's first far-right President since a military dictatorship ended three decades ago.

The ex-army officer dubbed the Trump of the Tropics has previously been charged with inciting hatred by Brazil's attorney general.

He also he "would be incapable of loving a gay son", and once told a congresswoman: "I wouldn't rape you because you're not worthy of it."

The number of gay marriages in Brazil reportedly surged 66% in November as LGBT people fear a crackdown on their rights.

And his plans to build hydroelectric dams in the Amazon and open up to mining the reservations of indigenous peoples have sparked alarm.

But he rode a wave of anti-establishment anger to gain 55% of the votes in October's election, promising to crack down on corruption and violent crime.