Archbishop Desmond Tutu dodges event over Immoral Tony Blair

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has decided not to take part at a leadership event in South Africa in protest at the presence of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the event.


The Discovery Invest Leadership Summit in Johannesburg was due to be held with the presence of Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Tutu, Tony Blair and chess grandmaster and Russian activist Garry Kasparov.

But, the Archbishop described former premier’s support for the invasion of Iraq as "morally indefensible."
"Ultimately, the Archbishop is of the view that Mr Blair's decision to support the United States' military invasion of Iraq, on the basis of unproven allegations of the existence in Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, was morally indefensible”, said a statement from his office. "The Discovery Invest Leadership Summit has leadership as its theme. Morality and leadership are indivisible”, the statement added. "In this context, it would be inappropriate and untenable for the Archbishop to share a platform with Mr Blair”, it said.


The former prime minister’s visit to Johannesburg had already been marred with controversy.

Blair was threatened with arrest when he arrives in the country by Muslim political party Al Jama-ah. The party has accused Blair of "crimes against humanity".

A protest is due to be held on Thursday outside the Sandton Convention Centre where Blair is due to speak.

"The demonstration is being held to support a warrant of arrest to charge him for crimes against humanity relating to the invasion of Iraq which led to the killings of millions of Iraqis”, said Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks. Source