Bush to honour Blair with Freedom Medal

Former British prime minister Tony Blair will receive America’s highest civilian award – the Presidential Medal of Freedom – from George Bush next week.

He will be presented with the medal in a White House ceremony on January 13 during President Bush’s last week in office.

He will receive the award with former Australian prime minister John Howard and Colombian president Alvaro Uribe.

Awarded by the US president, it is the highest civilian award alongside the Congressional Gold Medal, awarded by Congress.

Mr Blair received that honour in July 2003, shortly after the invasion of Iraq, but has not collected it.

The former Prime Minister, who stepped down in 2007, is now Middle East peace envoy for the Quartet – Russia, the US, the EU and UN.

Mr Blair, to the anger of many British voters, was one of the staunchest allies of the US, particularly over the invasion of Iraq and following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said last night President Bush was honouring Mr Blair, Mr Howard and President Uribe “for their efforts to promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad”.

She added: “Their efforts to bring hope and freedom to people around the globe have made their nations, America and the world community a safer and more secure world.”

Mr Blair’s spokesman said: “The award of this medal reflects true courage of the men and women of the British Armed Forces who, through their service and sacrifice, have safeguarded freedom, democracy and human rights around the globe.”

The Medal of Freedom was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to recognise civilians for their efforts during the Second World War.

In 1963 President John F Kennedy renamed and reinvigorated the award and broadened the medal’s scope to its present standard for “especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interest of the United States, world peace or cultural or other significant public or private endeavours”.