FINANCIAL TIMES: Tony Blair on Wednesday bowed out as Britain’s prime minister with a flourish in the House of Commons using his farewell appearance to mock his eurosceptic critics, saying “au revoir, auf wiedersehn [sic], arrivederci”.
Mr Blair was given the rare honour of a two-minute standing ovation, in breach of parliamentary tradition, with MPs of all parties applauding his exit from the political stage.
After his final appearance at prime minister’s questions, Mr Blair returned to Downing Street to thank his staff.
Before leaving Number 10 for the last time he posed for the photographers flanked by his wife and children, a repeat of the iconic scene when he first arrived as prime minister after being swept to power in 1997.
Mr Blair then headed to Buckingham Palace for a 15-minute audience with the Queen, to formally hand in his resignation. Blair bows out with a flourish (more) By Ben Hall
*Auf Nimmerwiedersehen – Never to meet again (good riddance)
FAZ:
VIDEO: Blairs Abschied im Parlament
Mark Alexander
