Disbelief as war criminal Tony Blair handed ’jaw-dropping’ philanthropist of the year award
Source: dailymail.co.uk
On the day more of his chickens came home to roost in the Middle East, disbelief as Tony Blair is handed ’jaw-dropping’ philanthropist of the year title at GQ awards ceremony
Tony Blair was last night improbably named philanthropist of the year by a leading magazine.The former prime minister was handed the award to a ‘muted’ response at a celebrity-packed gathering in central London. It was in recognition of his ‘philanthropy, establishing three charities’.
GQ magazine’s decision drew immediate criticism, with Labour MP John Mann saying last night: ‘It sends the wrong message. This sort of award should go to an unsung hero who has given up their time for charity.’
‘People will be greatly concerned and wonder if this was the right decision.’ Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘Apparently, Tony Blair has won GQ’s philanthropist of the year award. Finally these awards have grasped irony!’
The GQ Men of the Year awards are popular among celebrities with many A-listers attending last night, including Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa and the model Cara Delevingne.
On receiving his award at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, Mr Blair, 61, said: ‘I would like to dedicate this award to the people that work with and for my organisations.’
He and his wife Cherie have a property empire worth an estimated £30million, having bought homes for their children.
Earlier this year, Mr Blair, who earns millions of pounds a year from his consultancy roles and charges fees of £250,000 for public speaking, was forced to deny being motivated by money.
[...]
The tribute to Mr Blair on the GQ website read: ‘In 2007 Tony Blair stepped down as prime minister, but his surging momentum’s shown no signs of slowing.
‘Alongside his role as a Middle East peace envoy, Blair’s channelled his energy into philanthropy, establishing three charities.
‘The Tony Blair Sports Foundation pairs volunteer sport coaches with children in Britain’s North East and his Faith Foundation aims to reconcile the three Abrahamic faiths, but his most ambitious is the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative.
[...]
Read the full article at: dailymail.co.uk
