Tony Blair '˜not welcome' in Derry

Former prime minister Tony Blair speaks at a Remain campaign event at the University of Ulster in Londonderry. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday June 9, 2016. See PA story POLITICS EU. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Frankie McMenamin described Mr. Blair as “having blood on his hands over Iraq” and said the former Labour leader was “not welcome” in Derry.

“I was involved in protests about the Iraqi War which Tony Blair was responsible for,” said Mr. McMenamin.

“Tony Blair is hated throughout the world and he has blood on his hands over Iraq.

“I will be voting for the U.K. to remain on June 23 but I think someone like Mr. Blair will put a lot of other people off

“Tony Blair is not welcome in our city and the people who organised this visit obviously knew this because had the visit been publicly advertised then there would definitely have been protests,” added Mr. McMenamin.

In a historic showing of support for the UK to remain part of the EU, Mr. Blair shared a stage with prime ministerial predecessor, John Major inside the Great Hall in the Magee campus of Ulster University yesterday.

The two former political leaders gave speeches explaining why they believe the UK should vote on June 23 to remain part of the EU and then took questions from local school children.

Seventeen year-old Thornhill College pupil, Anna McAree, asked how the EU referendum would impact upon the North of Ireland’s working class population.

“I was pleased with the answer I got from John Major and Tony [Blair],” she said.

“Although I won’t be eligible to vote on June 23 the referendum is something my friends and I are talking about.

“If I could vote I honestly don’t know which way I would go - I have yet to hear convincing points from either side of the debate, she added.