Petition to strip Tony Blair of his New Year knighthood tops one million signatures
The online petition was created by Angus Scott, who is calling for Sir Tony's knighthood to be rescinded due to the 'irreparable damage' he claims the former PM caused
A petition to strip
Sir Tony Blair of the knighthood given to him by the Queen in the New Years honours list has topped one million signatures.
Sir Tony, who is Labour’s longest-serving Prime Minister, was appointed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, which is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry.
The honour is awarded entirely within Her Majesty’s gift and is one that is regularly bestowed on former premier.
It is not granted on the advice of the Government.
However, the news caused outrage online, with scores of people blasting Blair for deciding to take Britain to war in Iraq.
As a result, an
online petition created by Angus Scott - calling for the knighthood to be rescinded - was created, bidding Prime Minister
Boris Johnson to petition the Queen to have the honour removed.
On Friday afternoon, votes on the Change.org petition surpassed one million, making it one of the top signed petitions on the website.
"
Tony Blair caused irreparable damage to both the constitution of the United Kingdom and to the very fabric of the nation's society," the petition reads.
"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.
"Tony Blair is the least deserving person of any public honour, particularly anything awarded by Her Majesty the Queen."
Labour Leader
Keir Starmer has spoken out in support of Blair following the backlash, stating: "The last Labour government delivered enduring change from the national minimum wage to the peace process in Northern Ireland.
"My congratulations to Tony Blair on this recognition for his public service to our country."
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Petition to strip Tony Blair of New Year knighthood tops one million signatures