LONDON – Former British prime minister Tony Blair called off a party last night to mark the launch of his new book, saying it would be “frightening” for his friends to have to walk past antiwar protesters.
Guests invited to the event, at the Tate Modern in central London, were told that it had been postponed, a spokeswoman for the book’s publishers, Random House, said.
Mr Blair told ITV1’s This Morning: “It is sad in a way because you should have the right to sign books or see your friends if you want to. But it was going to cause so much hassle. The people at the party tonight are friends – and some of them are not political at all . . . I don’t mind going through protesters – I have lived with that all my political life. But for other people it can be a bit unpleasant and frightening.”
The party would go ahead at some stage as a thank-you to the people who had helped produce the memoir, he said.
It is the second time Mr Blair has called off an event linked to his new book. He cancelled a signing session that was due to be held at the Waterstone’s book store in London’s Piccadilly yesterday.
Shoes, eggs and bottles were thrown at Mr Blair when he attended a book signing in Dublin on Saturday. – (PA)