Blair to give book profits to injured troops

TONY Blair is donating all the profits from his forthcoming memoirs to a new sports centre for injured troops, it emerged.

The former British prime minister is handing over the reported £4.6 million (€5.6m) advance he received for the book, A Journey, as well as any royalties.

A spokesman for Blair insisted he always intended to donate the proceeds to recognise the “courage and sacrifice” of the armed forces.

But anti-war activists accused the ex-premier of trying to “buy forgiveness” for bloody campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The money – which represents a significant chunk of Blair’s estimated £15m-plus fortune – will go towards the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Challenge Centre, which is due to open in summer 2012.

The £12m complex will provide accommodation and a training facility for injured service personnel.

A statement announcing the gift on the ex-prime minister’s website said: “This is Tony Blair’s way of honouring the armed forces’ courage and sacrifice.”

The director-general of the Royal British Legion, Chris Simpkins, said the organisation was “delighted to accept this very generous donation”. It is understood the money is being given with “no strings”.

But the Stop the War Coalition said: “Tony Blair’s decision to give the money made from his memoirs to the British Legion is welcome if it means that some of those who have suffered as a direct consequence of his criminal wars will benefit.

“But no proportion of his massive and ill-gotten fortune can buy him innocence or forgiveness.

“The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in the pointless death of hundreds of British soldiers and hundreds and thousands of innocent civilians.

“No amount of money will wash their blood from his hands,” it said.

Blair’s memoirs are due to be published on September 1.