No escape for warmonger Blair at think tank event

The former PM joined ex-defence minister John Reid and Tory Education Secretary Michael Gove to open the Institute for Security and Resilience Studies at University College London (UCL).

As with most of Mr Blair's speeches nowadays, organisers kept the venue secret until the last minute in a bid to shield him from those who accuse him of war crimes.

Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German said they could keep the location secret but "they cannot hide the lies and deceit which Blair used to take us to war in Iraq.

"The secrecy surrounding this event shows that even the organisers understand the contempt in which Tony Blair is held by many people in Britain," she said.

"It is a shameful day for UCL. What genius came up with the idea that these people should be lecturing the rest of us on war and peace?

"Blair should be (on trial) in the Hague, not in another expensive venue promoting his isolated and dangerous views."

Three-thousand people signed a letter earlier this week urging UCL to tell Mr Blair to stay away.

And Labour leftwingers Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell have tabled an early day motion reflecting the sentiment of the letter.

A UCL spokesman said it had little to do with the event and had provided "no funding, facilities or accommodation for the conference.

"UCL is an institution that values values freedom of speech highly and encourages the widest possible expression of differing views, within the law.

"We do not operate a policy of barring speakers with controversial views. This does not imply institutional endorsement or disagreement of any views expressed."