Former prime minister Tony Blair is to be handed a knighthood alongside England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty
(Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images)Hundreds of thousands have called for former prime minister Tony Blair to be stripped of his knighthood.
The accolade was given to the former Labour leader in the New Year Honours List.
Blair - whose title is now formally Sir Tony - was made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He welcomed the appointment on Twitter, calling it an “immense honour”.
Tony Blair: It is an immense honour to be appointed Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and I am deeply grateful to Her Majesty the Queen. It was a great privilege to serve as Prime Minister and I would like to thank all those who served alongside me (1/2)
— Tony Blair Institute (@InstituteGC) December 31, 2021
However opinion is split over whether or not the former prime minister, who was in power from 1997 to 2007, deserves the prestigious title.
A petition calling for the politician’s knighthood to be stripped has got over 600,000 signatures at the time of writing.
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Started by Angus Scott, the petition reads: “Tony Blair caused 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 servicement in various conflicts. For this alone he should be held accountable for war crimes. [sic]
“Tony Blair is the least deserving person of any public honour, particularly anything awarded by Her Majesty the Queen.”
The petition’s statement concluded with a plea to Boris Johnson to petition the Queen to have Blair’s honour removed.
Similar sentiment spilled out on social media, with one Twitter user calling him “repugnant”:
I think HM The Queen has made a big mistake in knighting Tony Blair. The nation can’t stand the sight of him, he is repugnant to millions of people.
— BritishPatriot (@Eldever1) January 3, 2022
If you needed an advert to end the honours system it was tonight 👇👇
— Jamie Jenkins (@statsjamie) December 31, 2021
SIR TONY BLAIR
What a joke.
🤔🤔🤔🤔https://t.co/jf4RPdRq3a
The good thing about Tony Blair is his ability to bring people together.
— Cornwall7000 ⛵️🐕 (@cornwall70001) January 3, 2022
Everyone hates him 🤣
The idea that Tony Blair should receive the HIGHEST order of chivalry possible has rightly angered a nation. Out of touch on Iraq, immigration, Euro-fanaticism and seeking to thwart Brexit, even reportedly asking Pres. Macron to block any deal. Some might say ‘chivalry’ is dead.
— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) January 4, 2022
Tony Blair knighted...... I'm not sure this country can sink any lower.
— Wexford Iceberg (@DrewWildgoose) January 1, 2022
A reminder: https://t.co/TARlgFhpJr
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) January 1, 2022
Tony Blair getting a Knighthood is sickening.
— David Poulden Esq®️ (@DavidPoulden) January 1, 2022
Who Agrees? 🤔
Not a recent video, but @JeffStelling absolutely nails it here . Bravo 👏🏽
— Adam Brooks (@EssexPR) January 2, 2022
F****** Tony Blair 🤢pic.twitter.com/jtBUQoelKl
Tony Blair is to be knighted with the highest possible ranking in the new year honours list, Buckingham Palace has said.
— talkRADIO (@talkRADIO) December 31, 2021
Should he be knighted?
However not everyone agrees.
Labour leader Keir Starmer toldGood Morning Britain that Sir Tony “deserves the honour”.
He added: “I haven’t got time to list this morning all his many achievements, which I think vastly improved our country.”
Over 500,000 people have signed a petition to strip former Prime Minister Tony Blair of his knighthood.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) January 4, 2022
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer says he thinks 'Tony Blair deserves the honour', particularly for 'his work in Northern Ireland.' pic.twitter.com/bpGbxoEfOT
Many congratulations!
— Anna Turley 🌹💙 (@annaturley) December 31, 2021
Huge congratulations Sir Tony
— Julie Elliott (@JulieElliottMP) December 31, 2021
Congratulations to Sir Tony Blair, but I know he’ll be even more proud that @ValerieAmos, a personal hero of mine and so many others, has become - yet again - a trailblazer. So many firsts in her career, beating a path for others to follow. A totally inspirational woman. https://t.co/mVGc7JH2rR
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) December 31, 2021
Huge congratulations to Sir Tony Blair. Absolutely delighted, 3 times election winner, changed Britain for the better, best @UKLabour leader, couldn’t be happier. Brilliant news. pic.twitter.com/hyh2Q5oQ1w
— Martin Angus (@martinangus) December 31, 2021
Indy100 has contacted the Tony Blair Institute for comment.
