![]() ![]() The petition, started by Angus Scott, came after Blair was presented with the New Year Honours, which are announced on 31 December every year. It urged Queen Elizabeth II to have the honour removed. Scott described Blair, who served as the UK’s prime minister between 19, as "the least deserving person of any public honour", causing "irreparable damage to both the constitution of the United Kingdom and to the very fabric of the nation’s society". "He was personally responsible for causing the death of countless innocent, civilian lives and servicemen in various conflicts. For this alone he should be held accountable for war crimes," Scott added, in reference to Blair's intervention in the 2003 Iraq war. The war on Iraq killed hundreds of thousands, created millions of refugees and has left Iraq fractured until today. On Twitter, many made their feelings clear following the ennobling. Political commentator Liam Young wrote: "The man should be in the dock of The Hague. UK-based Australian journalist John Pilger wrote: "The contempt in which Britain's elite holds the public has never been more eloquently expressed than in the decision to award Tony Blair the highest order of knighthood. One million Iraqis dead, three million dispossessed, a trail of blood to 7/7. Many others demanded an overhaul of the honours system, with one user describing it as the "favour for a friend" list. In light of Blair's knighthood, a Sunday Times article dating back to 2012 resurfaced on social media platforms, reporting that Blair’s government considered asking the Queen to bestow the honorary knighthood on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Ĭiting official papers, discussions about the honour took place ahead of Assad’s visit to Britain in 2002, during which he sought "as much pomp and ceremony as possible".Īssad is accused of war crimes after violently suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations in his country in 2011, which later spiralled into a full-blown conflict. The invasion cost the lives of British troops, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. His regime is also accused of committing human rights violations. Sir Tony, who left Downing Street more than 14 years ago, is one of three new appointments announced by the palace.Īppointments to the Garter are in the Queen’s gift and made without prime ministerial advice, and are usually announced on St George’s Day, April 23, but she can do so at any time, and has chosen this one to coincide with the New Year Honours.What are your thoughts on Tony Blair getting a knighthood in the New Year. ![]() The former barrister became a Middle East envoy and set up his own non-for-profit group, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, after leaving politics.Įach year, Royal Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Garter gather at St George’s Chapel in Windsor for a colourful procession and ceremony.Ĭrowds watch as they walk down the hill to the chapel from the state apartments, dressed in blue velvet mantles, red velvet hoods, black velvet hats and white ostrich plumes. He was prime minister during the Allied military invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. ![]() Sir Tony, 68, led New Labour to a landslide victory in 1997, winning two subsequent general elections before quitting Westminster a decade later, paving the way for his chancellor Gordon Brown to take over as prime minister. “We petition the Prime Minister to petition Her Majesty to have this honour removed.” “Tony Blair is the least deserving person of any public honour, particularly anything awarded by Her Majesty the Queen. Tony Blair has been appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (Paul Treacy/PA) (PA Wire) ![]()
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