London, May 24 (ANI): One of former British Prime MinisterTony Blair’s closest political mentors, has said that his decision to go to war in Iraq and Kosovo was part of a “Christian battle”.

John Burton, Blair’s political agent in his Sedgefield constituency for 24 years, says that Labour’s most successful ever leader - in terms of elections won - was driven by the belief that “good should triumph over evil”.

Blair has previously admitted that he was influenced by his Christian faith, but Burton reveals for the first time the strength of his religious zeal.

Burton makes the comments in a book he has written, and which is published this week, called “We Don’t Do God”.

In it he portrays a prime minister determined to follow a Christian agenda despite attempts to silence him from talking about his faith.

“While he was at Number 10, Tony was virtually gagged on the whole question of religion,” says Burton.

“Alastair [Campbell] was convinced it would get him into trouble with the voters. But Tony’s Christian faith is part of him, down to his cotton socks. He believed strongly at the time, that intervention in Kosovo, Sierra Leone - Iraq too - was all part of the Christian battle; good should triumph over evil, making lives better,” The Telegraph quotes Burton, as saying.

Blair was not worried by people questioning his decisions, Burton says, but was “genuinely shocked if they questioned his morality because there was never a dividing line between his politics and Christianity”.

Since leaving Downing Street, Blair has set up the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and given a number of interviews about his faith.(ANI)