Bernie launches attack on Tony Blair

According to The Sunday Times, Ecclestone has accused Blair of "third-rate behaviour" and personal betrayal.

The billionaire tycoon, whose controversial £1m gift to the Labour party in 1997 was returned following rumours that he tried to buy Formula 1 an exemption from a tobacco advertising, ban claims party officials schemed to cover-up his then record donation.

Ecclestone states Labour had agreed to stick to a "keep mum" policy refusing either to confirm or deny questions about any donations.

However, the 69-year-old claims Blair "started talking".

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Ecclestone - the sixth richest person in Britain - said: "I rarely regret anything I do, but I'm disappointed that Blair could not keep his word about that.

"I said to those clowns: if someone puts me up against the wall with a machinegun, I will not confirm or deny anything about the donation.

"They said, okay, okay, we will do the same. The next thing that happened is that Blair has started talking.

"I only found out be accident. It is third-rate behaviour."

Ecclestone's rage is shared by his wife Slavica who described the British PM as "hateful".