Exclusive

Iraq War hero 'astonished' that 'hypocrite' Tony Blair doesn't turn down knighthood

5 January 2022, 10:24 | Updated: 5 January 2022, 11:10

'I'm astonished at the hypocrisy that he doesn't turn it down.'

EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Colonel Tim Collins has hit out at former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his "hypocrisy" in accepting a knighthood from the Queen.

The 61-year-old retired British Army Colonel, originally from east Belfast, is best known for his role in the 2003 Iraq War and his inspirational eve-of-battle speech.

The comments come amid national discussion over the former Prime Minister's knighthood.

More than six hundred thousand people have signed a petition calling for Sir Tony's appointment by the Queen to the Order of the Garter - the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry - to be rescinded over his domestic record and the Iraq War.

Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari the former army officer said he was not surprised Mr Blair had been honoured, adding it had been a "long time coming."

Read more: Blair’s defence sec Geoff Hoon 'was told to burn Iraq memo' as knighthood row continues

"I think we have to remember the knighthood he's been given is the Queen's personal gift, it's not from the government."

Col Collins said he felt during his time in office, Mr Blair had attempted to "supplant the Queen," recalling during the Millennium celebrations he "stepped in front of the Queen, they want to push the monarchy to one side."

"I'm astonished at the hypocrisy that he doesn't turn it down, because it was a gift from the Queen," the former officer told Nick Ferrari.

Read more: Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins' Eve-of-Battle Speech

The Iraq War hero said if Sir Tony "has any decency," then he would turn the award down.

James O'Brien: Uproar over Tony Blair nomination 'silly'

A Change.Org online petition calling for Sir Tony to be stripped of the honour had been signed by more than 698,000 people by Wednesday morning.

Tony Blair 'rolled over and had his tummy tickled by Sinn Féin'

Nick asked Col Collins if he believed Sir Tony was a "founding father" of the Northern Ireland peace process, which could have also been a contributing factor towards the controversial award.

"The Republican movement didn't take Tony Blair particularly seriously," Col Collins said, adding they thought he was a "soft touch."

The former army officer said the peace agreement was delivered by John Major branding Sir Tony's contribution "the buttons and bows at the end."

He told Nick it was a "less sound agreement" because of the "meddling of Tony Blair."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
The mural on the wall of the Golden Chippy

A Greenwich fish and chip shop that's causing a stink over painting, as owner tells LBC he's 'determined to keep mural up'

Rishi Sunak’s job is under threat from a plot of backbench Tory MPs who want to replace him with Penny Mordaunt before the general election.

Tories 'need to stop messing around and get behind the Prime Minister,' Business Secretary tells LBC

Exclusive
'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

'Floating voters' unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

LBC's 'Floating Voters' left unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

Leila Khaled, who hijacked planes, will appear via video link at a fundraiser hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Andy Street wants police to look at the event

'I'm not comfortable with it': West Mids Mayor to speak to police amid fury over Palestinian hijacker’s fundraiser

Andy Street taking calls from the public on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Tory MP's claim that Birmingham has 'no-go areas' was 'ridiculous', West Midlands Mayor tells LBC

Minister quizzed on tweet where he described Trump as 'cancer'

Minister Bim Afolami says tweet in which he referred to Donald Trump as 'a cancer' is appropriate

Lee Anderson

Police 'looking into hate speech complaint against Lee Anderson' after MP said Sadiq Khan was controlled by Islamists

Richard Tice said he turned down two Tories who tried to join the party

Reform UK leader Richard Tice says he rejected two Tory MPs who tried to defect in the last year

Michael Tomlinson repeatedly refused to answer Nick Ferrari's question

Nick Ferrari cuts off minister who refuses to answer his questions nine times over Lee Anderson's 'Islamophobic remarks'

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for 'Islamist' comments as he doubles down on criticism of Sadiq Khan

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

PM denies Tories have 'Islamophobic tendencies' as minister says Lee Anderson's comments were 'profoundly wrong'

Dame Esther Rantzen has told LBC why she is campaigning to change the law on assisted dying

‘Dogs get treated better than humans’, Esther Rantzen says, as TV legend demands assisted dying law change

Rishi Sunak (l) puts on a brave face to the Tories by-election defeats on a visit to Harlow. New Kingswood MP Damien Egan (top r) and Wellingborough MP Gem Kitchen (bottom r)

Rishi Sunak begs frustrated Tories 'not to put Starmer in power' after party suffers double by-election disaster

New Labour MPs Damien Egan and Gen Kitchen

'They are not very good results': Tory chairman admits after double by-election drubbings as MPs call for tax cuts