PM's heart puts flutter in market

CITY traders were glued to their screens today amid fears that the Prime Minister's weekend heart scare could knock the resurgent FTSE 100 share index out of its stride.

With Tony Blair forced to take a day off after treatment on Sunday, analysts said heightened political uncertainty over the coming weeks could hit London markets.

Experts say the FTSE 100 could hit 4500 by the end of the year, given signs of an economic recovery. Today it was

11.9 points down at 4332.1.

Will Armitage of spread betters IG Index said investors were unlikely to panic yet but speculation that Blair may decide against a third term could hit shares.

He said markets may be concerned about the prospect of Deputy PM John Prescott taking over in the event of an emergency and about tax rises under Chancellor Gordon Brown. Armitage added: 'Markets hate uncertainty.'