Tony Blair gives multi-million book advance to charity

Former prime minister Tony Blair has announced that he will be giving his GBP 4.6 million book advance to the Royal British Legion.

Blair, whose new book A Journey is due for release next month, will also give any royalties made from the memoir to the charity, which helps treat and rehabilitate wounded British soldiers.

The cash will be spent on the organisation's GBP 12 million Battle Back Challenge Centre, a state-of-the-art medical facility which is expected to be in operation by the summer of 2012.

A spokesperson for Blair claimed that the former head of state approached the Royal British Legion with the 'no strings' offer and does not expect his name to be attached to the new rehabilitation centre.

Director-general of the Royal British Legion Chris Simpkins said: 'Blair's generosity is much appreciated and will help us to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of hundreds of injured personnel.'

However, the move has come under fire from a number of Blair's critics, including the Stop the War Coalition, which said: 'No amount of money will wash their blood from his hands.'