Tony Blair asked Bill Clinton to write a newspaper article supporting his ill-fated bid for the presidency of the European Council, newly-released emails show.

The former Prime Minister wanted the former President to write an endorsement of his 'personal qualities' that made him the best candidate.

But Mr Clinton's advisers warned he would probably say no and that they did not want Mr Blair to have any 'expectations' of his friend.

The email was among 7,000 messages released by Hillary Clinton from her time as Secretary of State between 2009 and 2013 after a Freedom of Information request.

Expectations: Tony Blair wanted the former President to write an endorsement of his 'personal qualities' that made him the best candidate in the race to become president of the European Council. Above, together in 2006

More than 50,000 emails are gradually being made public which she stored on her controversial private server rather than using her official email account.

The email about Mr Blair's bid for the EU presidency was dated October 29 2009 was sent to Mrs Clinton by Sidney Blumenthal, one of her closest advisers.

It reads that Mr Blair's senior adviser Jonathan Powell had suggested that Mr Clinton 'write an article supporting Tony Blair for EU President in (German newspaper) Die Welt'

Revelations: The request was revealed in one of 7,000 emails released by Hilary Clinton (pictured)

He writes: If so, I suggest it be wrapped in a discussion on the future of Europe, the need for Europe to be strong as a partner with US for many goals requiring a strong president: the policy imperatives, from climate change, security, social integration, etc. point to Blair.

'Also, if done, should include description and endorsement of Blair's personal qualities for office. Can't be backhanded'.

Doug Band, another of Mrs Clinton's advisers writes that Mr Blair and Mr Clinton will speak that evening.

He writes: 'Will mention this to him but my guess is be he (Mr Clinton) will say no. Think we need be careful in terms of expectations being created'.

Mrs Clinton agrees and says that 'I think Bill and Tony will figure it out'.

In the end the article was not written.

After much speculation Mr Blair announced he was not interested in the position of EU Council president and was appointed as the Middle East envoy to The Quartet, the EU, the UN and Russian.

The emails from Mrs Clinton have given a fascinating insight into both US politics and Westminster during her time in office.

The latest cache has already shown that Mr Blair's wife Cherie lobbied Mrs Clinton for more than a year to meet a close friend of hers from Qatar.

David Miliband also admitted to Mrs Clinton that it was 'tough' losing to his brother in the 2010 Labour leadership election in a private message.