World News: Fury as Tony Blair is given a knighthood – Gulf Digital News

World News: Fury as Tony Blair is given a knighthood – Gulf Digital News

LONDON: The decision to make Tony Blair a Sir has been met with anger by many on social media, as the former Prime Minister was branded a ‘war criminal’, with more than 25,000 signing a petition to block the award.

Blair has long faced a backlash over his decision to lead the UK into Iraq and Afghanistan, which cost the lives of 179 British personnel as well as many more civilians.

But it was announced last night that he had been appointed to the Order of the Garter as a Knight Companion.

Angus Scott launched the petition on Change.org shortly after news of the award was published.

In an explanation in his petition, Scott wrote: ‘Tony Blair caused irreparable damage to both the constitution of the UK 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.’

All but one of the prime ministers before him were appointed a few years after leaving office. But Blair waited more than 14 years.

It had been suggested that the Queen’s strained relationship with him during his 10 years in