AFP
Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Channel 4 television has unveiled details of its new satirical drama in which Prime Minister Tony Blair faces war crimes charges over the Iraq conflict in an imagined, not-too-distant future.

"The Trial of Tony Blair" is set in 2010 and sees Blair (actor Robert Lindsay) on the brink of extradition to a war crimes tribunal, plagued by nightmares about the war and fears that he will be killed by a suicide bomber.

In the programme, to be screened next week, Blair converts to his wife Cherie's faith, Catholicism, in a bid to seek forgiveness for his sins.

"I gather Mr Blair is very concerned about his place in history. This film is my idea of where that place might be. Whether it's fiction or prediction remains to be seen," writer Alistair Beaton said.

"If it contributes to the public perception that Blair has done something wrong and he needs to pay a price for that, that would be terrific."

He said he hoped it would "get up Tony Blair's nose".

At a pre-screening Tuesday, Lindsay said he had made the film because he was "seriously angry" with Blair over the "illegal" Iraq war.

The drama could also make unpleasant viewing for Blair's likely successor, finance minister Gordon Brown, who is shown winning his first election after taking charge with a parliamentary majority of just two seats.

A jealous Blair, incensed by Brown's huge popularity, is seen to sabotage his chances of winning more votes by leaking an email Brown sent while finance minister saying that taxes would have to be raised.

But as prime minister, Brown ultimately gets his revenge by allowing Blair to be sent for trial at The Hague.

Meanwhile in the fiction, former US president George W Bush is shown in rehab after being discovered comatose at his ranch.

Domestically, Blair has moved from the premier's residence in Downing Street to London's Connaught Square, home to many wealthy Arabs and celebrities, which his wife describes as "ghastly" and like "Little Beirut".

"Not a great place to live when your husband is hated by 250 million Arabs," she says.

Blair is convinced he will be offered a top job at the United Nations or in the US administration as an adviser to new president Hillary Clinton.

But instead his former celebrity friends -- U2 pop star Bono, actor Kevin Spacey and Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates -- refuse to return his calls and the US abandons him to his fate.