FORMER UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has canceled this week’s London book signing after antiwar protesters threw eggs and shoes at him during a similar event over the weekend.

Mr Blair was due to sign copies of his new book A Journey at a Waterstone’s bookstore in central London tomorrow but decided not to go ahead after protesters met him at a signing in Dublin on Saturday, shouting, “Tony Blair war criminal” and “blood on your hands” during the event at Eason’s bookstore.

Eggs and shoes were thrown and scuffles broke out between police and protesters, prompting fears that a much bigger demonstration could have hijacked the London signing, in turn requiring a massive security operation.

In a statement, Mr Blair said: “I have decided not to go ahead with the signing as I don’t want the public to be inconvenienced by the inevitable hassle caused by protesters.

“I know the Metropolitan Police would, as ever, have done a superb job in managing any disruption but I do not wish to impose an extra strain on police resources, simply for a book signing.”

Waterstone’s said it regretted the cancellation. “Our job as a bookseller is to bring books to our customers, and where possible enable them to meet authors as well,” said the company’s Managing Director Dominic Myers.

“It is a matter of regret that because of the likely actions of a minority, our customers are now not able to meet a three-times elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, whose book has become our fastest-selling autobiography ever.”

In an interview with Sky News earlier on Monday, Mr Blair said that the security fears had forced him to reconsider his plans to hold the London event.

“I think it’s sad if you can’t sign a book without people trying to physically prevent you, and as we saw in Dublin there were hundreds more who wanted to come and have their book signed than wanted to protest,” he said.