Tony Blair again on the large stage… however for a way lengthy? Former prime minister beams beside Trump – as rumours swirl round his future ‘operating Gaza’

Tony Blair was seen beaming beside Donald Trump as the pair attended the Gaza peace summit in Egypt today. 

The former British Prime Minister appeared in high spirits after the US President named him as a potential member of his ‘Board of Peace’ to oversee the Gaza territory.

But doubt was cast on Sir Tony’s future after Trump admitted he was unsure about appointing him, due to concerns over the ex-PM’s ‘popularity’. 

The pair today posed for pictures together at the peace summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh. 

But overnight, Trump spoke his mind on Air Force One en route to Israel, adding he wanted the Board of Peace up and running quickly.

Discussing Sir Tony’s future, the President said: ‘I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice to everybody. 

‘I want to find out that Tony would be popular with all because I just don’t know that.’

The ex-Labour leader remains a controversial figure in the region from his role in the Iraq War.

Sir Tony Blair was seen beaming beside Donald Trump as the pair attended the Gaza peace summit in Egypt today

Trump and Sir Tony shake hands as they pose for photos during the Gaza peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

Doubt was cast on Sir Tony’s future after Trump admitted he was unsure about appointing him, due to concerns over the ex-PM’s ‘popularity’

Sir Tony attends a world leaders’ summit on ending the Gaza war on October 13, 2025

The ex-Labour leader remains a controversial figure in the region from his role in the Iraq War

He was also the Middle East envoy for the quartet of powers after leaving No 10.

Mr Trump himself is set to chair the board, which would be tasked with overseeing an interim governing authority for Gaza.

Sir Tony’s former No 10 chief of staff Jonathan Powell is now Keir Starmer’s national security adviser.

Mr Powell was praised by US envoy Steve Witkoff for his part in achieving the Gaza deal today.

However, Sir Keir – who was also in Egypt today for the signing ceremony – has appeared cool on Sir Tony’s involvement in the peace settlement.

Last week he described the agreement as ‘a real breakthrough’, but asked about his predecessor’s potential role he said: ‘I’m less interested, to be perfectly frank, in discussions about personnel than I am in getting it implemented.’

He added: ‘The UK has played an important part behind the scenes in relation to these negotiations, working with the US mediators, and we stand ready to play our part in implementing this.’

As well as Sir Keir and Sir Tony, a grinning Mr Trump also posed for pictures with the Palestinian Authority’s Mahmoud Abbas, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and Turkey’s Recep Erdogan.

Others who lined up to greet the US President surprisingly included FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The world football boss has become a close ally of Mr Trump and has publicly called for the US President to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the Gaza crisis.

Sir Keir Starmer today joined a queue of world leaders who waited to shake Donald Trump’s hand at a Gaza peace summit

Trump shakes hands with France’s Emmanuel Macron at the peace summit today 

While he waited for Mr Trump’s arrival in Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday, Sir Keir held meetings with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Qatar and Turkey on the fringes of the summit.

The PM has been accused of piggybacking on Mr Trump’s Gaza breakthrough.

He hailed the ‘tireless diplomatic efforts’ of Mr Trump on Monday morning, crediting him with securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.

But Sir Keir was accused of only travelling to Egypt for a ‘photo op’ after risking derailing the process by recognising Palestine as a state last month.

Tories compared the PM to former Chelsea footballer John Terry, who changed into full kit to lift the Champions League trophy despite not playing in the final.

The Trump administration’s Middle East envoy earlier tried to cool tensions after the US ambassador to Israel branded a Cabinet minister ‘delusional’ for suggesting the UK played a ‘key role’.

Steve Witkoff praised Britain’s ‘vital role’ – singling out under-fire national security adviser Jonathan Powell for his ‘incredible input’.