British Prime Minister Tony Blair, pictured 13 October 2006, said he was "touched" after a seven-year-old girl in Scotland sent him a letter urging him not to be "bullied1" into resigning from office.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was "touched" after a seven-year-old girl in Scotland sent him a letter urging him not to be "bullied" into resigning from office.

Kathleen Sandeman, from Dundee, told Blair not to stand down as leader because he was "the best" and was being pushed into doing so by people who were "not kind".

"It was a lovely letter and I was really touched," Blair said. His Downing Street office had already sent a reply to the youth.

Earlier last month, Blair publicly vowed² to step down as prime minister by September 2007 after being faced by a rebellion within his own party calling for his resignation.

Sandeman's letter, sent last month according to the city's Evening Telegraph, read: "Please do not leave your job. I think you are the best and you are being bullied by people who are not kind."

"We are told at school to report bullies³ to the teacher. If you like, I will tell my teacher about you. She is kind, her name is Miss McKay.

"Bad things happen in the world and I know you help sort them. You are kind and helpful and always do your best.

"I do not want your job, I want to be a vet⁴ and help animals."

The young girl had decided⁵ to write the letter after watching the news on television. Her father told the Evening Telegraph that his daughter was "over the moon" when her letter was acknowledged.