2008-05-09 23:22:08 -

LONDON (AP) - A British newspaper is reporting that ex-Prime Minister's Tony Blair wife says her husband is secretly advising his successor, Gordon Brown.
The Times quotes Cherie Blair as saying her husband is helping his former Labour Party rival on how to win the next general election.
Blair had had a turbulent relationship with Brown, who

stood aside in 1994 to allow his colleague to become Labour's leader, and later British prime minister. Brown, meanwhile, served as Treasury chief for 10 years from 1997.

Brown has been prime minister since June but is struggling after Labour saw its worst local election results in 40 years.
The Times on Friday cites Mrs. Blair as saying her husband is trying to help Brown turn his predicament around.