Image caption Mr Blair launched an Africa Governance Initiative after leaving office

Save The Children has apologised for any offence caused by its decision to give Tony Blair a "global legacy award", saying it was an "unnecessary distraction" from its work.

The charity's UK chief executive Justin Forsyth said he was sorry it had "upset so many people" and "it is not really what we do at Save the Children".

The award, given by the group's US arm, specifically related to Mr Blair's work to tackle poverty in Africa, he said.

Mr Blair stood down as UK PM in 2007.

The award, which Mr Blair accepted in person in November, prompted a backlash from staff at Save The Children and some of its supporters, who argued that his key role in the 2003Iraq conflict and its aftermath meant he was not suitable for such recognition.

Mr Blair received the award for his work at the G8 summit in Gleneagles in 2005 and for his Africa Governance Initiative, which he launched after leaving office.

'Quite specific'

Mr Forsyth, who once worked for Mr Blair in Downing Street, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the decision had been made by its "sister organisation" in America, where Mr Blair did not have the same controversial legacy and there had been "very few complaints" in the US.

But he acknowledged that many of his own staff were upset about the move.

"Yes, it was a global legacy award. It was called that. But actually it was an award very, very specifically for Tony Blair's efforts on Africa at