LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Tony Blair’s office yesterday dismissed a report that he will declare himself a Roman Catholic after he leaves office next month.“This story seems to circulate fairly regularly,” said a spokesman in Blair’s office, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government policy. “As we have said before, he continues to be a member of the Church of England.”

Blair’s wife Cherie is a Catholic, and the family regularly attends Catholic services, sparking continuing speculation about the prime minister’s religious leanings.

According to a report this week in The Times, Father Michael Seed told friends at a recent memorial service that he expected Blair to formally declare his allegiance to the church after he steps down on June 27.

However, The Times also quoted Fr. Seed as saying he did not know whether Blair (pictured) would ever be formally received into the church.