Tony Blair could cancel signing

Tony Blair has hinted that he could cancel a book signing in London on Wednesday to prevent causing the police "a lot of hassle".

The comments follow eggs and shoes being thrown at the former UK prime minister at a similar event in Dublin at the weekend.

Mr Blair told Daybreak on ITV1 it was "not as if we need" to do signings to sell copies of his memoirs.

But people should not try to prevent him from holding the events, he added.

'Concerned'

Four men were arrested after eggs, bottles and shoes were thrown at him during anti-Iraq war protests at the Dublin signing following the release of his memoirs last week.

Mr Blair described those involved as a "minority", adding that, on such occasions, "the protesters get all the publicity".

Another event is planned for Waterstone's in Piccadilly, central London, on Wednesday, with rigorous security measures in place.

But Mr Blair, prime minister from 1997 to 2007, said: "To be frank about it, I am concerned. I do not want to put everyone through a lot of cost and hassle on this Wednesday's signing so I am thinking about that."

The Metropolitan Police were "fabulous and they will do whatever we ask them to do" but should not be asked to commit resources unnecessarily, he added.

Mr Blair said: "The book is selling fantastically. There are people - particularly now the BNP apparently say they want to get in on the action - you end up just causing a lot of hassle for people and cost when there are better things for the police to do and it's not as if we need to do it.

"It is sad at the same time, frankly. If people want to have a book signed, people should protest but not try and physically prevent you doing it."

Mr Blair conceded it would be "very difficult" for to return to UK political life, but added that he would "love" to have some involvement, as he remained "deeply committed to the country".

He said: "I love this country and I want to see it do well."

Source: BBC News