PRIME Minister Blair's most important matter seems to be taking over his life - and ours - in a plot that has so many strands it could easily baffle Sherlock Holmes.

As this country lurches, apparently inexorably, towards war with Iraq, just what was not needed was a monumental blunder from the most outspoken US defence chief, Donald Rumsfeld.

In an interview late last night, Rumsfeld let slip the fact that the US did not really care what the UK did - "They (the US) would find work-rounds" if the UK were not involved in the first waves of action.

What an immense gaffe, and one that could have far-reaching consequences.

Rumsfeld has, at a single stroke, undermined totally what Blair, however misguided, is trying to do to secure the support of the UN Security Council for military action against Iraq.

Dowling Street was, it is said by commentators, incandescent with rage and a hot telephone call to Washington brought a partial retraction from the Pentagon. But the damage had already been done.

The Iraqis were celebrating, while the British Cabinet members were in despair.

Most of their hard work has been blown away in few sentences.

However, what this does illustrate starkly is that all is not as it seems on the surface when it comes to that most special relationship.

The US, it would appear, is ready to go it alone whatever the consequences, while Blair dare not do anything.

If he gives the green light for war in support of Bush, he will undoubtedly tear the country apart and could crash spectacularly from power.

If he caves in and backs off he will be vilified by President Bush and probably banished in shame from the world stage.

This whole saga started with a complicated plot akin to any Hollywood thriller, but it is fast turning into a farce.

Let us hope that we do not end with a large portion of egg on our faces.