Sir Tony Blair has been savaged over his think tank’s connections with autocratic regimes (Image: Getty)

       Sir Tony Blair should have his knighthood stripped over his non-profit's links with autocratic regimes, a leading Brexiteer has said.

       The former prime minister’s Institute for Global Change (TBI) is being paid to advise nations with questionable human rights records, such as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in an apparent bid to expand its global influence, it has emerged. An agreement was forged between the non-profit and Sunni Muslim-ruled Bahrain despite the Gulf state’s abysmal track record of political oppression against its Shia Muslim majority population.

       It was also paid to offer counsel to the United Arab Emirates and works with the Saudi regime despite the brutal murder of Washington-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, The Telegraph reported. The revelations have prompted a swift backlash, with the deputy leader of Reform UK, Ben Habib, accusing Sir Tony of a bid to “malignly influence world affairs”.

       Mr Habib told Express.co.uk: “If it is a moral compass you are seeking, Tony Blair is not your man. He is, among a whole load else, squarely responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis and Afghanis.

       Powered By

       10

       10

       Royals and Sir Tony Blair attend Garter

       Share

       Next

       Stay

       Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

       Trending

       “There was little justification for the war in Afghanistan which lasted over 20 years and left in its wake a failed state. There was absolutely no justification for the war in Iraq.

       “Saddam was a terrible man but that is no reason to prosecute an illegal war. And as with Afghanistan, Iraq has suffered and continues to suffer enormously. The killing Iraq, by the way, dwarfs that which is happening in Gaza.

       “So do not be surprised that Tony Blair’s Institute (for Global Change – no less) is in bed with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Blair will follow the money – something he does incredibly well.

       “The TBI now has annual revenues of $140million. A war chest with which he is malignly influencing world affairs.

       “Of all the crony honours ever handed out, giving Blair the Order of the Garter was the worst. The man should be behind bars.”

       Meanwhile, Aman Bhogal, the founding Chairman of the Global Britain Centre, questioned how Sir Keir Starmer could be trusted on international relations when "the man who is his latest paragon of advice and inspiration continues to bolster his poor record of judgment".

       He told Express.co.uk: "Who can forget the pictures of Tony Blair firmly in Gadaffi’s tent back in 2004? With such form behind him, is it any surprise the man inspiring Sir Keir Starmer’s long fence-sitting march to the election, is once again jet-setting his way into the gold-plated palaces of Middle Eastern despots?

       "While it is of great encouragement to see the UAE take the lead in the Middle East to steadfastly begin the process of lifting the Emirates onto a mainstream international footing, it is anybody’s guess of what possible positives a failed faux-statesman, gun-for-hire like Blair could add when the UAE, Israel, the US and India have already achieved significant geopolitical progress with the ‘I2U2’ Middle East Quad for regional stability and prosperity, along with the India, Middle East Europe economic corridor.

       "The truth is Blair’s era is seen as mostly a great misadventure in geopolitics. So, it is profoundly questionable as to how Sir Keir Starmer can be trusted on our international relations, leveraging the Brexit dividend and fighting for Global Britain’s national interest when the man who is his latest paragon of advice and inspiration continues to bolster his poor record of judgment and reverse-polarity geopolitical compass."

       Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading

       Start 30-day

       FREE trial

       Don't miss...

       Nigel Farage pinpoints 'very important story literally nobody is talking about' [VIDEO]

       'Narcissistic' Sadiq Khan sparks fury over New Year's Eve fireworks 'ego trip' [EXCLUSIVE]

       From Trump to Putin 2024 is the 'year of elections' with world's fate at stake [ANALYSIS]

       The TBI is reported to have increased its income from foreign governments by 50 percent in the last year.

       Sir Tony’s group said it has started supporting a “modernisation programme” in Bahrain, which is similar to its Vision 2030 scheme in Saudi Arabia aimed at boosting tourism and shifting the economy away from reliance on oil.

       A TBI spokesman said: “We work with the government of Bahrain, where, like our work elsewhere, we are supporting a modernisation programme in which we strongly believe.

       “Yes, we do work with the UAE and as is well known we have an office there.

       “On Cop28, TBI is committed to helping countries which are exposed and vulnerable to adverse climate impacts to create a more resilient future and pursue net zero at an achievable pace.

       “That is why we offered strategic and policy insight [to] support Cop28, entirely pro bono, because we want to help drive meaningful change. We did not ask for nor receive remuneration for our support.

       “We have no contract with the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council].”

       Related articles Furious MP demands Sir Tony Blair be stripped of his knighthood Disaster for Keir Starmer as popularity plunges to new low Tony Blair wanted to relocate Wimbledon FC to Belfast, state papers show Tony Blair wanted to give Elgin Marbles back to Greece in 'bargaining chip' Declassified: Labour's Isle of Mull plan to cut asylum seeker numbers