BROMSGROVE MP Julie Kirkbride has demanded to know if Tony Blair's 18-month-old son has been given the controversial measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

The Conservative MP said she had "thrown away" an invitation to give her own 14-month old son Angus the jab and was looking for a doctor to give him single injections.

She insisted the public had a right to know if Mr Blair had permitted little Leo to have the jab - or if he had done the same.

Her call was backed by Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox, who urged Mr Blair to send out a "strong signal" to the public to support the Government's insistence MMR is safe. Medical debate has raged over its safety following some claims it is linked to autism and bowel disease.

The combined jab against the three diseases is given to a child at 12 to 15 months and a second booster dose at between three and five-years-old.

"As a politician I perfectly understand the need to keep children's lives private, but there are times when policy carries a legitimate public interest," said Ms Kirkbride, an opponent of MMR.

"It's the Government's policy to refuse the right of parents to have single vaccinations.

"In those circumstances, I believe the public should be told whether or not Leo Blair has received his MMR."

Dr Fox, a former GP, said: "It would be inconceivable for the Government to give strong and adamant advice to other parents, only for the Prime Minister to send a different signal."

The Department of Health has repeatedly insisted MMR, rather than single injections, is the best way to protect children.

Clinics to give the single jabs have been held in Worcester by Dr Peter Mansfield.

"Mr and Mrs Blair believe their child has the same right to medical privacy as any other child in the country," said Downing Street.