RSS
News


Home Page > News > Blair calls off book-signing after Dublin protests

Blogs


comment on article 4 Comments
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail

Blair calls off book-signing after Dublin protests

By
DARA KELLY,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, September 8, 2010, 7:16 AM
Updated Wednesday, September 8, 2010, 10:39 AM

 

Bookmark and Share

Protests as Tony Blair arrived to his book signing in Dublin's city center
Protests as Tony Blair arrived to his book signing in Dublin's city center

Read more - Tony Blair should be hailed, not attacked in Ireland

Former British prime minister Tony Blair has shelved his plans to sign copies of his autobiography in the UK, following last week’s public disturbances in Dublin.

An event scheduled to take place in central London this morning has been cancelled, however it's understood that hundreds of signed copies of Blair's book will made available to book-buyers on Thursday.

In a statement to the press Blair said that he had enjoyed meeting his readers in Dublin. However, he added, he has decided not to go ahead with the signing in London.

'I don’t want the public to be inconvenienced by the inevitable hassle caused by protesters. I know the Metropolitan Police would, as ever, have done a superb job in managing any disruption, but I do not wish to impose an extra strain on police resources simply for a book-signing.'

Responding to his statement Waterstones book company managing director Dominic Myers told the press: 'Our job as a bookseller is to bring books to our customers, and where possible enable them to meet authors as well. It is a matter of regret that our customers are now not able to meet a three-times elected prime minister whose book has become our fastest-selling autobiography ever.'

Although the British press still speculate that Blair still holds political ambitions in the UK, Blair denied this: 'Frankly, I doubt there is a way I can play a part. But if I can, I would love to,' he said.

Read more - Tony Blair should be hailed, not attacked in Ireland

print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


4 Comments

It may take several minutes for your comment to appear.
Report abuse
Posted by GeorgeDillon on Sep 09, 2010, 02:55 PM EDT
maloney--you "heard" that in your own sick fantasies. I am told the Bliar book is already remaindered (that means heavily discounted, maloney) in many bookstores. The only question is should they put it under "Fiction" or in the "True Crime" section.
Report abuse
Posted by hectorfromTG4 on Sep 09, 2010, 01:42 AM EDT
He was behind the 7/7 bombings and blamed it on those crazy arabs,he's a mass murderer and a war criminal!.
Report abuse
Posted by maloney on Sep 08, 2010, 12:03 PM EDT
I heard Blair's book sales went through the roof thanks to the Irish protesting. He thanks you all the way to the bank.
Report abuse
Posted by JamesMurphy on Sep 08, 2010, 09:25 AM EDT
Blair is a pariah in Britain and with a good deal of justification. Any political ambitions he might have there are pure pipe dreams. He would do better to stick to writing. He's pretty good at that. The Waterstone's MD just doesn't get it.
 


Click to learn more from DiscoverIreland.com.
IrishCentral Mobile QR code


Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:
Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password