Tony Blair’s journey to the crime section

More than 10,000 people have joined a Facebook group calling on members to “subversively move Tony Blair’s memoirs to the crime section in book shops”.

It’s creator, 24-year-old Euan Booth from London, set up the group in order to take non-violent direct action against what he sees as the wrongful categorisation by bookshops of ‘A Journey’ as a memoir.

He told The Independent: “I think Blair’s book should be in the crime section. It is perfectly clear that he broke international law by launching a war of aggression on Iraq. His evidence was lies, which as he defended it at the Hutton enquiry, amounts to perjury.”

“Billions upon billions of pounds stolen from the British taxpayer in my mind amounts to theft, maybe not in a court of law, but hey.”

Numerous photos and stories of the removal of Blair’s book from the autobiography sections of well known book shops have been uploaded to group’s Facebook page.

One group member, Lee Holding, remarked: “Somebody placed [Tony Blair's 'The Journey'] in the autobiography section in WH Smiths. Placed it in the true crime section where it belonged. Couldn’t find a section for ‘war’ criminals. We shall have to wait for George W bush to get his crayons out and write his.”

The creation of the group follows news of the postponement of a launch party for ‘A Journey’ which was due to be held this evening at the Tate Modern in London, amid fears of violent protest from anti-war campaigners.

Earlier this week the former prime minister was the target of egg-throwers at a book signing in Dublin, resulting in the cancellation of a signing at a Waterstone’s book shop in London due to take place earlier today.

Booth’s group makes it clear it would not condone violent protest, seeking only mischievous dissent. It’s caption reads: “Be part of a literary movement…And have a sense of humour”- a combination rarely found, some might argue.

“I don’t condone the violent acts of protest,” Booth says. “But I completely understand the public’s anger. I feel it too, I just decided to lead by example on a funny idea that was knocked around the net. And funny it is – but there is a serious message. Tony Blair is a liar, a cheat and a coward.”

Photo credit: The Facebook group

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