The Daily Mirror reports today that Tony Blair is to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the USA’s highest civilian award) from George Bush next week:
Mr Blair, to the anger of many British voters, was one of the staunchest allies of the US, particularly over the invasion of Iraq and following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
“White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said President Bush is honouring Mr Blair, Mr Howard and President Uribe “for their efforts to promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad”.”
Commenting on the award, Sarah Teather, Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East said,
It is highly fitting that Tony Blair has received this award, as he was the best friend that George Bush ever had. He didn’t say no once, and happily lined up the British Labour party to do whatever Bush told them to do.
“This award is tainted with the blood of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi lives and, to add insult to injury, will be handed over at a time when the Middle East is once more in the grip of horrific violence and bloodshed.
“Instead of parading with his old friends in the US, Tony Blair should be focussing on his new role and negotiating an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”
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4 Comments
Hear, hear, Sarah. Though personally I’d rather he kept away from his ‘new job’. He is the sort of person likely to make things worse in west Asia.
I’m glad Sarah went for the throat on this. People should be being reminded that Blair is right now supposed to be the person responsible for advancing Middle East peace. The absurdity of his appointment to that role is eclipsed only by the tragedy that is unfolding there now on his watch. Wherever he goes, destruction follows. He should be fired, and left to make as much money as he and his wife can spend on the right-wing “lecture circuit”.
Absolutely agree, well done Sarah!
Well said Sarah.
Her comments deserve a wider press than they have got.