Controversial former Prime Minister Tony Blair sought EU funding for his ‘institute for global change’ whilst he was attempting to stop Brexit according to The Telegraph.hh
Emails obtained by a newspaper show the former prime minister discussed the possibility of striking a funding agreement between the European Commission and his Tony Blair Institute (TBI).
Mr Blair engaged in talks with Neven Mimica, an EU commissioner, and Ana Gallo-Alvarez, who was previously seconded to Mr Blair’s Middle East envoy office as deputy head of mission.
According to The Sunday Telegraph, the former Labour leader’s staff explained in emails that they wanted to ‘explore opportunities to receive financial support’. They also highlighted Blair’s ‘unique’ connections with leaders of developing countries.
Responding to the report, a spokesperson did not deny the claims but said it was ‘perfectly entitled to seek EU funding for work relevant to EU funding streams’ and had not yet submitted a bid for any money. ‘The idea there is a connection with Blair’s opposition to Brexit is absurd’
Blair announced the launch of the Institute for Global Change in December 2016 with the aim of ‘mak[ing] globalisation work for the many, not the few’.
The organisation’s work is mainly focused on the peace process in the Middle East and effective governance in Africa.
Blair does not receive a salary for his work with the non-profit institute but has his travel and accommodation expenses covered.
The politician has been vocal in opposing Brexit, and in September said he would ‘do anything’ to stop a No Deal.
He said the UK was ‘rightly proud’ of the fight against Hitler, but complained that it cast a ‘long shadow over the British psyche’.
He said Eurosceptics were constantly harking back to that ‘feat of glory’, while Remainers focused on the past 70 years of ‘peace and relative stability’.
Blair’s seat of Sedgefield that he held with a majority of 20,000 + recently fell to the Tories and is a solid leave area with many questioning what impact Blair’s pro-EU stance had on the demise of Labour Party as well.
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