Tony Blair named 'philanthropist of year' at GQ awards

The former Prime Minister is recognised for his 'tireless charitable work'



Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister and UN Middle East envoy, has been named as GQ magazine’s “philanthropist of the year”, in recognition of his “tireless charitable work”.

Mr Blair, who has launched three foundations, was awarded the prize at the magazine’s Man of the Year Awards last night, as he attended a glamorous ceremony surrounded by the world’s celebrities.

The peace envoy, who was last week revealed to have advised Kazakhstan’s president on how to manage his image after the slaughter of unarmed civilians, accepted the prize from an employee of his Tony Blair Faith Foundation, on stage at a lavish dinner at the Royal Opera House.

Mr Blair was honoured alongside a host of A-list actors, singers and designers at the annual awards.

Extracting the urine aren't they?

first time I'e heard waging war in Iraq and destroying the UK deserves the title 'philanthropist of the year.'

Judging by his grimace, I know where her left hand is.

Labour candidate REJECTS donation from Tony Blair



A Labour candidate for Parliament has rejected a £1,000 donation to her campaign from Tony Blair.

The former Prime Minister had promised more than £100,000 to help the party, with the money going to key battleground seats.

Mr Blair made a donation of £1,000 to the local campaigns in 106 target constituencies, saying they were 'where the election will be won for Labour'.

But Dundee East candidate Lesley Brennan said her constituency would not be accepting the money.

Writing on Twitter she said: 'Received donation from Tony Blair. Instinct was to not accept. Discussed with team. Dundee East is not accepting the £1000.'

Good for East Dundee.

Occasionally, we see politicians that don't fly under false colours and are true to their beliefs and constituents.

Now, can we have a few locally?

...And now Gloucester:

Labour candidate for Gloucester turns down £1,000 donation from Tony Blair



Labour's candidate for Gloucester has said she is turning down a £1,000 donation from Tony Blair.

Ex-RAF wing commander Sophy Gardner was awarded an MBE for her role in charge of RAF transport and refueilling operations at the time of 9/11.

Blair has pledged £106,000 to help the party campaign in 106 key battleground seats - including Gloucester - but Sophy said that if I cheque is made out personally to her she will decline is based on her criticism of the Iraq war.

She said: "I can say that if the cheque is made out to me, I have taken a personal decision that given my criticism of the Iraq war, in which I served, it would be hypocritical of me to accept it.

"Therefore, I can confirm I would decline this money."

Sophy served in the RAF for 19 years and was a personal staff officer to COmmander UK Forces in Iraq. She now runs a small business helping military charities.

Sensible lady.

Noteworthy though, that the only rejectors of his money (so far) are women.

There must be considerable pressure now on the other Labour candidates to reject the donation?