Anger Over Tony Blair's Anti-Poverty Award

Save the Children has been criticised by charity workers for giving Tony Blair an award for his anti-poverty work.

The former Prime Minister was presented with the Global Legacy Award by Save the Children US at an event in New York last week to recognise his work to address poverty in Africa.

Critics say his role in the Iraq war should disqualify him from receiving the honour.

They also point out Save the Children's UK chief executive, Justin Forsyth, was a special adviser to Mr Blair for three years, and that Jonathan Powell, his former chief of staff, is currently on the charity's board.

A petition on 38degrees.org.uk, calling for the award to be withdrawn, has now gained more than 98,000 signatures, with campaigners claiming the former politician's "legacy in Iraq overshadows his achievements in Africa".

Miranda Pinch, who set up the petition, told Sky News she was "shocked" by the award.

"As far as I am concerned, Blair has been the cause of countless deaths, injuries and displacements of children across the Middle East," she said.

"It may be that Blair has done some good work in Africa, however there are many others who are also doing good work in the region and it seems strange to pick such a divisive figure when for many he represents the antipathy of saving the children."

It comes after it was reported almost 200 staff at Save the Children had signed an internal letter complaining about the award.

David Cameron was asked about the issue during Prime Minister's Questions and said: "The remarkable thing about this award is that Tony Blair got it from someone who used to work for Gordon Brown.

"Obviously the person who gave the award knows about peacemaking and peacekeeping, but I think it is not for me to get involved."

The charity issued a statement in response saying: "In a global organisation like ours, of thousands of people, our staff have strong views on a whole range of issues and people and we respect that diversity of views.

"Contrary to some reports, the award was not awarded by Save the Children UK or Justin Forsyth, its UK CEO.

"It was given to Tony Blair last week by Save the Children US at their Gala event in New York. He received the award because of his work when Prime Minister, on Africa and poverty."

A statement posted on the Office for Tony Blair website states: "The award was in recognition of Tony Blair's work in leading G8 nations at Gleneagles in 2005 to pledge to double aid to Africa and provide 100% debt relief to eligible countries, as well as his ongoing work in partnership with African governments through his Foundation."

Comedian Dom Joly, an ambassador for Save the Children, tweeted: "I'm pretty embarrassed to be an ambassador for @savechildrenuk when they hand out awards to Tony Blair for his 'anti-poverty' work.

"When @savechildrenUK gave an award to Tony Blair for his 'anti-poverty work' I can only assume they meant his own, personal poverty?”

Accepting the award last week, Mr Blair said: "It's amazing how nice people are to you when you stop being prime minister.

"What we celebrate is the opposite of cynicism and the reason for optimism. And that's why personally I feel proud and am immensely honoured to be with you tonight and to accept the award."