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Blair cancels London book signing over protest concerns

By the CNN Wire Staff
Tony Blair, seen here leaving a studio on Monday, was worried that a book-signing event might cause too much disruption.
Tony Blair, seen here leaving a studio on Monday, was worried that a book-signing event might cause too much disruption.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Former prime minister cancels his signing event
  • He apologizes to those who wanted to see him
  • Blair says he canceled "to avoid the inconvenience" to the public
RELATED TOPICS
  • Tony Blair

London, England (CNN) -- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has canceled a central London book-signing event for his new autobiography over concerns of the "inevitable hassle" that will be caused by protesters, his office said in a statement Monday.

Blair's decision came after police made some arrests Saturday in Dublin, Ireland, where he attended another signing event for his book, titled "A Journey."

A crowd of people, some of them anti-war demonstrators, had gathered outside the shop to protest Blair's role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there were unconfirmed reports of eggs and shoes being thrown at Blair.

"I very much enjoyed meeting my readers in Dublin and was looking forward to doing the same in London," Blair said in the statement Monday. "However, I have decided not to go ahead with the signing as I don't want the public to be inconvenienced by the inevitable hassle caused by protesters.

"I'm really sorry for those -- as ever the majority -- who would have come to have their books signed by me in person," he said. "I hope they understand."

Both Blair and the bookseller, Waterstone's, said the former British leader would sign a limited number of books in advance that the Picadilly branch will sell on Thursday.

Blair's book describes his time in office, including his decision to go to war in Iraq. All proceeds from the book are going to the Royal British Legion, Blair has said.