In a letter to the Irish Times this week 19 Irish writers and artists have called on Easons, the Irish bookstore chain, and on the national broadcaster RTE not to allow former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss or launch his new autobiographical book on their premises.

Blair is scheduled to appear on Ireland's most popular weekend chat show The Late, Late Show on RTE where he will discuss the book. He is also scheduled to sign the book at Easons this weekend.

The group of well known Irish artists have requested that the station not promote what they called 'his autobiographical book and the blood-money of his royalties that he proposes to pass on to military charity.'

The group have called for 'the cancellation of this notorious war-criminal’s visit, so that Ireland cannot be turned into a launch-pad to reinvent Brand Blair as good-guy and peacemaker.'

Signatories included John Arden, Derek Ball, Margaretta D'Arcy, Raymond Deane and Anne Fitzgerald.