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Tony Blair has launched his most scathing attack yet on Jeremy Corbyn , accusing the Labour leader of the “politics of protest”.

The former Prime Minister hit out at his successor who spent decades campaigning and joining marches before seizing the party reins last Sptember.

Mr Blair said: “There’s a guy whose face is on the placard - that’s me, hate that guy.

“You’re the person in power taking difficult decisions.

(Image: PA)

“Jeremy is the guy with the placard, he’s the guy holding it.

“One’s the politics of power and the other’s the politics of protest.”

The verbal assault deepened the longstanding rift between the pair, who fell out over the 2003 Iraq War.

Mr Blair has been repeatedly attacked for his decision to join the US-led invasion which toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

The former PM is waiting for Sir John Chilcot's verdict when the inquiry chairman publishes his landmark report on July 6 .

Mr Blair's former special envoy on human rights in Iraq, Labour MP Ann Clwyd, warned it would be “discredited if the report fails to recognise that the then prime minister honestly and genuinely believed that his actions, given the information available, were the right thing to do at the time".

(Image: PA)

Speaking to Bloomberg, Mr Blair compared how he and Mr Corbyn are seen by Labour activists today.

He said: “I’m accused of being a war criminal for removing Saddam Hussein - who by the way was a war criminal - and yet Jeremy is seen as a progressive icon as we stand by and watch the people of Syria barrel-bombed, beaten and starved into submission and do nothing.”

Mr Corbyn's spokesman said: “What Tony Blair says is a matter for him. If he's suggesting that Jeremy Corbyn is leading a politics of protest, I would say that's not correct.”

(Image: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

He also confirmed the current Labour leader would not share a platform with his predecessor on the EU referendum campaign trail.

While Mr Blair was associated with the official Britain Stronger in Europe camp, Mr Corbyn would continue to tour the country with the Labour In for Britain group.

Mr Corbyn's decision not to appear with the former leader is seen as a snub to the three-time election winner.

Asked if Mr Blair was “toxic”, the spokesman was forced to admit: “I don't have a view on whether Tony Blair is toxic or not.”

Meanwhile, a senior Labour MP was again forced to defend Mr Corbyn over claims he is not pulling his weight in the EU referendum campaign.

Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander tried to convince activists their party leader was fully behind the bid to keep Britain in the 28-nation bloc.

Mr Corbyn, previously a fierce anti-EU backbencher, has failed to dampen suggestions he lacks commitment to the fight in the run-up to the crunch vote on June 23.

But, speaking at Unison headquarters, Ms Alexander said: "Jeremy's views on Europe have been long known. I think it's safe to say that historically he has been something of a sceptic.

(Image: Getty)

"But I think the fact he has been clear in this campaign in leading the Labour Party that we are more prosperous in Europe, we are stronger in Europe and we are safer in Europe, probably is testament to the strength of the arguments."

She added: "I know that just as over the next two weeks I'm going to be out pounding the pavements doing everything I can to ensure we get a Remain vote on June 23, I know that Jeremy will be doing exactly the same."