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Tony Blair Save the Children award criticised | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Save the Children decision to give former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair an award for his anti-poverty work has been criticised by charity workers. | |
Almost 200 staff at the charity have signed a letter calling it "morally reprehensible", the Guardian said. | |
A separate petition calling for the Global Legacy Award to be revoked has gained more than 90,000 signatures. | |
A Save the Children spokeswoman said the award came from the US arm and the charity respected diversity of opinion. | |
'Inappropriate' | 'Inappropriate' |
The internal Save the Children staff letter, which the Guardian reports has been signed by senior regional employees, says the award - which was presented in New York on 19 November - is a threat to the charity's credibility. | |
It adds: "We consider this award inappropriate and a betrayal to Save the Children's founding principles and values." | It adds: "We consider this award inappropriate and a betrayal to Save the Children's founding principles and values." |
The Guardian also reports that the charity's global media manager, Krista Armstrong, sent an email acknowledging the "high volume of complaints and negative reactions regarding the award". | The Guardian also reports that the charity's global media manager, Krista Armstrong, sent an email acknowledging the "high volume of complaints and negative reactions regarding the award". |
The online petition calling for the award to be revoked says Mr Blair's "legacy in Iraq overshadows his achievements in Africa". | |
Mr Blair was prime minister when UK and US forces controversially invaded Iraq in 2003. | Mr Blair was prime minister when UK and US forces controversially invaded Iraq in 2003. |
'Strong views' | 'Strong views' |
The former UK PM received the award for his work at the G8 in Gleneagles in 2005 and for his Africa Governance Initiative, according to the charity's website. | The former UK PM received the award for his work at the G8 in Gleneagles in 2005 and for his Africa Governance Initiative, according to the charity's website. |
The Office of Tony Blair said in a statement: "The award was in recognition of Tony Blair's work in leading G8 nations at Gleneagles in 2005 to pledge to double aid to Africa and provide 100% debt relief to eligible countries, as well as his ongoing work in partnership with African governments through his Foundation, the Africa Governance Initiative." | The Office of Tony Blair said in a statement: "The award was in recognition of Tony Blair's work in leading G8 nations at Gleneagles in 2005 to pledge to double aid to Africa and provide 100% debt relief to eligible countries, as well as his ongoing work in partnership with African governments through his Foundation, the Africa Governance Initiative." |
The statement highlighted praise from Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ernest Bai Koroma, the President of Sierra Leone for Mr Blair's work. | The statement highlighted praise from Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ernest Bai Koroma, the President of Sierra Leone for Mr Blair's work. |
A Save the Children spokeswoman said: "In a global organisation like ours of thousands of people our staff have strong views on a whole range of issues and people and we respect that diversity of views." | A Save the Children spokeswoman said: "In a global organisation like ours of thousands of people our staff have strong views on a whole range of issues and people and we respect that diversity of views." |
In September, men's magazine GQ defended its decision to give Mr Blair its "philanthropist of the year" award after criticism from MPs. | In September, men's magazine GQ defended its decision to give Mr Blair its "philanthropist of the year" award after criticism from MPs. |
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