 CHERIE Blair has opened her heart to the ECHO over her family's six-month turmoil during the Hutton inquiry. The prime minister's wife, (right), admitted the long probe into the death of scientist David Kelly had deeply affected the couple's four children. "As a family it was one of the most difficult times since Tony became prime minister," she said. And Mrs Blair, who was brought up in Waterloo, spoke of their relief after Lord Hutton cleared her husband of any wrong-doing. For months she had to wait for official cfirmation of what she already knew - her hus-band did not go to war on the back of a sexedup dossier on the scale of Iraq's weapons. Mrs Blair was in Liverpool to raise funds for a homeless charity, but took time out to speak to the ECHO about one of her toughest weeks as the prime minister's wife. "Obviously it has been a difficult time for everyone involved and it is not for me to comin-ment on the ins and outs of the inquiry. "But I can say it did affect our children because like any children they are naturally inquisitive and they all read the papers. "As a family it was one of the most difficult times since Tony became prime minister, but once the findings of the inquiry came out it would be fair to say the children were relieved and all slept a bit easier." The Blairs have four children, Euan, 19, Nicky, 18, Kathryn, 15, and Leo, three, and the couple are obviously protective of their clan. But Mrs Blair, who splits her busy life between being a wife and mother and working as a top QC, admits being in public life can take its toll. She added: "I am in a very special position and a very fortunate one but it can be difficult for the children and as a mother they have to be my number one priority." Mrs Blair, who still uses her maiden name Booth when on private business, grew up with her mother, six sisters and grandparents in a three-bedroom terrace house in Ferndale Road, Waterloo. And she revealed how her love for her home city is as strong as ever. "I have wonderful memories of growing up here and I take every opportunity I can to spend time in Liverpool. That is why I visit so much." | 
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