8 d. ago Tony Blair rejected more powers for Wales and was dismissive of the performance of the then Assembly

The former Prime Minister was critical of the performance of Wales' devolved government, newly-released cabinet papers show

Events

8 d. ago UK considered military overthrow of ‘depressingly healthy’ Robert Mugabe

Declassified records show the Foreign Office advised Tony Blair’s government on options for dealing with the former Zimbabwean president

Events

8 d. ago My big night out: I finished the 1990s with fireworks, a funfair, flirting – and furious hope for the future

It was the end of a fabulous decade, when spontaneous, unpredictable parties seemed not just possible but typical. A new millennium was dawning. What could possibly go wrong?‘We wish you peace,” said Tony Blair as the clock struck 8pm. It was New Year’s Eve 1999, a Friday night, and I was on the banks of the Thames. Britain’s fresh-faced prime minister – only two years into the job – was giving a gimmick called The British Airways London Eye its first spin. The Eye was physically unremarkable and harrowingly slow, but it didn’t matter because it only had a five-year lease and definitely wouldn’t still be around a quarter of a century later, littering the skyline.It was the end of the 90s and, as the Thatcher/Major doldrums whizzed out of view like the subplot of Sliding Doors, we maintained a Bridget Jones-like innocence and entrusted the future to guys like Blair, Peter Mandelson and Bill Clinton, who didn’t seem like (respectively) warmongers, abuse excusers or sex pests. Continue...

Events

8 d. ago Peter Mandelson’s 2005 general election warning to Tony Blair over Gordon Brown

Files released to the National Archives show that Peter Mandelson warned Tony Blair that tensions with his chancellor would need to be carefully managed during the election campaign

Events

9 d. ago Foreign Office cautioned against UK military action to overthrow Robert Mugabe

Archives reveal options considered by Tony Blair’s government for dealing with Zimbabwean dictator in 2004The Foreign Office cautioned against UK military intervention to overthrow the former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe in 2004, advising it was not a “serious option”, recently released documents show.Policy papers show Tony Blair’s government weighed up options on how best to handle the “depressingly healthy” 80-year-old dictator, who refused to step down while the country descended into violence and economic chaos. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Tony Blair refused to share intelligence with Ireland over Sellafield threat, archives show

Newly declassified files reveal details on the aftermath of the 2004 Madrid train bombing

Events

9 d. ago ‘Too complacent’: how Blair’s advisers misjudged his disastrous WI speech

Former PM’s team suggested initial less-politicised drafts seemed patronising and appealed to ‘fuddy-duddy Britain’Brown’s allies could wreck Labour’s 2005 election hopes, Mandelson warnedTony Blair’s key advisers agonised over the writing of his notoriously ill-judged speech to the Women’s Institute (WI) which saw the then prime minister heckled and slow hand-clapped before 10,000 members at Wembley Arena, newly released documents reveal.Despite the WI explicitly warning they were “wary of anything that smacked of capital P politics”, Blair’s aides were critical of his first draft and bombarded him with additions to inject more policy. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago New files reveal Tony Blair ignored warnings over infamous WI speech

Tony Blair’s infamous WI address of 10,000 members descended into chaos

Events

9 d. ago No 10 blocked release of Tony Blair’s call with French president after Princess Diana’s death

Officials ruled that publication of a memo outlining the discussion between Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac was ‘fundamentally not in the public interest’, newly-declassified documents reveal

Politics

9 d. ago Tony Blair considered building secret bunker under Downing Street in case of terror attack, new files reveal

The hugely ambitious programme, codenamed Project George, included plans for a two-storey ‘subterranean suite’ under the No 10 garden

Events

1 week ago British officials feared ‘top man’ in Northern Bank robbery would avoid arrest

Downing Street chief of staff at the time, Jonathan Powell, said the robbery ‘had knocked up the price’ of peace negotiations.

Events

1 week ago Illegal and sick fox hunts are 'policed by public' as Labour finally closes loophole

The new proposals from Labour doubling down on the decade-old law passed by Tony Blair's government could mean that trail hunts that took place today were the UK's last

Events

2 w. ago Why I refuse to share photos with my fat family on social media: I won't be seen with people who don't have a healthy lifestyle

Philly Lay, 61, from South Oxfordshire, won't share family photos with her 34k Instagram followers, despite her loved ones supporting her during a major health scare.

Society

3 w. ago Tourist labels Germany 'racist' after hotel restaurant refuses to allow him to share his pizza

It came after the tourist retweeted a post from Shachi Gambhir, who said Germany was 'easily the least friendly country' she'd ever been to, after spending a few days there.

Society

3 w. ago Brown University shooting: person of interest in custody is in his 20s, police chief confirms – latest updates

Officials refuse to share name of person or details of arrest; names of victims not released as authorities have not yet been able to contact all relativesPerson of interest detained in Brown University shooting that left two deadWhat we know so farBrown University students were told that all remaining classes and exams for the semester would be delayed after the shooting that killed two people and left several others injured.In a note to students, the university’s provost, Francis J Doyle III, said the decision was made “out of our profound concern for all students, faculty and staff on our campus”. He encouraged students and staff to focus on their safety and wellbeing.In the immediate aftermath of these devastating events, we recognize that learning and assessment are significantly hindered in the short term and that many students and others will wish to depart campus. Students are free to leave if they are able. Students who remain will have access to on-campus services and supp...

Events

4 w. ago Tony Blair gives Shabana Mahmood stamp of approval amid Labour leadership speculation

The former prime minister praised the home secretary’s ‘radical’ style and ‘political philosophy’ behind her immigration crackdown, comparing it to his own approach in power

Politics

4 w. ago The moment Tony Blair realised decommissioning Royal Yacht Britannia was a 'mistake'

Built in 1953, the British vesel ruled the seas for over four decades and frequently played host to members of the Firm - including Charles and Diana for their honeymoon in 1981.

Events

4 w. ago Tony Blair left out of Gaza ‘board of peace’ due to Iraq war history

Former UK Prime Minister had eyed a leading role on Trump’s council after working on the Israel-Hamas peace process

Events

last month Tony Blair 'is DROPPED' from Trump's Gaza 'peace board' after complaints from Arab states... but will get lower

Tony Blair was touted for a top role overseeing the territory as part of the ceasefire deal unveiled by Donald Trump in September.

Politics