Protesters to target Tony Blair's Tate Modern party

Published on Tuesday 7 September 2010 15:43

ANTI-WAR campaigners will stage a protest today outside an art gallery where former prime minister Tony Blair is expected to attend a party to mark the launch of his new book.

Mr Blair has cancelled a high-profile signing session of his memoirs at a book store in central London today at lunchtime amid concerns over planned protests.

The ex-premier said he did not want to subject the public to the "inevitable hassle" protests would cause or use up police resources keeping order at the event.

Campaigners against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will demonstrate today outside the Tate Modern gallery where they expect Mr Blair and scores of specially invited dignitaries to attend a party.

Kat Phillips, one of the artists helping to organise the protest, said: "It is disgusting that an institution at the heart of British culture should have allowed this event to take place. Mr Blair says he takes responsibility for destroying Iraq but in fact does nothing but celebrate the war."

A spokesman for Tate Modern said: "Tate is not staging a launch for Tony Blair's new book. Tate's galleries are available for hire."

Eggs and shoes were hurled by protesters and one attempted to make a citizen's arrest when Mr Blair signed copies of the book, A Journey, in Dublin last week.