David Cameron has paid tribute to departing prime minister Tony Blair this afternoon in unprecedented scenes in the Commons.

The Conservative leader ushered his party to their feet to give the former Labour leader a standing ovation after he had faced them at prime minister's questions for the final time.

The entire Commons rose to applaud Mr Blair, who is today formally resigning as prime minister to be replaced by his chancellor of ten years, Gordon Brown.

During emotional scenes in Westminster, with wife Cherie Blair and his three eldest children in attendance in the public gallery, Mr Blair faced questions for the final time and received stirring tributes from Mr Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell and Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader Ian Paisley among others.

"On behalf of everyone on these benches can I congratulate him on his remarkable achievement of being prime minister for ten years," Mr Cameron said.

"For all of the heated battles across this dispatch box, for 13 years he has lead his party, for ten years he has led our county and no-one can be in any doubt in terms of the huge efforts he has made in terms of public services. He has considerable achievements to his credit whether it be peace in Northern Ireland or whether it is his work in the developing world which I know will endure.

"I am sure that life in the public eye has sometimes been tough on his family so can I say on behalf of my party that we wish him and his family well and we wish him every success in whatever he does in the futures."

In response Mr Blair thanked him for his "generous sentiments" and added that he has always found him "proper, correct and courteous in his dealings".

"Although of course I cannot wish him will politically, nonetheless I wish both him and his family very well indeed," Mr Blair said.

Sir Menzies echoed Mr Cameron's sentiments and passed on his party's best wishes despite acknowledging the differences the two leaders had had, "particularly on Iraq".

Rev Paisley, who Mr Blair has worked closely with in order to restore devolved government to Northern Ireland, which reached fruition last month, thanked him for treating him with the "greatest courtesy" despite their differences.

"I just want to say to the prime minister…he's entered another colossal task and I hope that what has happened in Northern Ireland will be repeated and he will be able to look back and say it was well worthwhile," he said, in reference to the expectation that Mr Blair will become an envoy to the Middle East after stepping down.

Mr Blair and his family left Downing Street for the final time this afternoon to travel to Buckingham Palace and confirm his resignation to the Queen.

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