Blair statement cancelling London book signing

Sorry to those -- "as ever the majority" -- who wanted to meet former PM

By James Macintyre Published 06 September 2010 16:02

Here is Tony Blair's statement on canceling his book signing in Picaddilly this week:

I very much enjoyed meeting my readers in Dublin and was looking forward to doing the same in London.

However, I have decided not to go ahead with the signing as I don't want the public to be inconvenienced by the inevitable hassle caused by protestors. I know the Metropolitan police would, as ever, have done a superb job in managing any disruption but I do not wish to impose an extra strain on police resources, simply for a book signing.

I'm really sorry for those - as ever the majority - who would have come to have their books signed by me in person. I hope they understand.

Tags: Tony Blair

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14 comments

Mon, 2010-09-06 16:12 — Karl White

Terrible. Like him or loathe him, it's a victory for the enemies of free speech.

Mon, 2010-09-06 16:30 — Alexandra (not verified)

He has cancelled because he does not want to be humiliated again. His pathetic ego is what drives him.

Mon, 2010-09-06 16:35 — swatantra nandanwar

About time Tony paid for his own security. PM's should not be secure for life but only for 3 years max, on the State. Then its up to them.
If he wants to do private engagements let him pay for that security.

Mon, 2010-09-06 16:38 — Nick (not verified)

Dreadful, shame on those who chant 'war criminal' and then go and act like thugs in pursuit of their go no-where protest.

Mon, 2010-09-06 16:59 — Mark (not verified)

What, so people aren't allowed to protest any more? What would you have protesters, do? Call any more off because it's an inconvenience to the police? Alexandra is right - this has nothing to do with security and everything to do with his ego!

Mon, 2010-09-06 17:01 — writeoff (not verified)

He knows it's just bad PR for him and his book and, most critically for him, his opportunities to book future speaking engagements at exorbitant fees.

I hope this continues for the rest of his days.

Mon, 2010-09-06 17:04 — Raymond (not verified)

How sad, the world was deprived of watch again the rage of the people that don't accept anymore the show of a War Criminal justifying the untenable.

Mon, 2010-09-06 18:14 — thinkov

He could have gone in the side entrance with a blanket over his head

just like the accused do

Mon, 2010-09-06 18:20 — Nick (not verified)

Protesting does the protester no good at all when it just becomes mindless thuggery. These people purport to be 'upholders of the peace' and yet they fight and brawl like a load of drunks at closing time. I'd like to know just how many of them really give an iota about what happended out in Iraq, not that many, I'd guess.

Mon, 2010-09-06 18:34 — Sue Davies (not verified)

He always has to present himself as the maligned misunderstood victim ... typical of a narcissistic personality disorder.

Tue, 2010-09-07 15:48 — Raymond (not verified)

To Nick: Who is the most "violent" in your opinion? the protester, that cry justice for a crime perpetrated for an egocentric in power, or the egocentric himself that signed from the distance the annihilation of hundreds of thousands of inocent human beeings that NEVER represented a menace to anybody ?