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Sir Tony Blair attended the launch of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace despite Keir Starmer’s decision to boycott the new body. The former Prime Minister attended the Davos World Economic Forum, where President Trump said the Board “has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created”. The President said “Thank you, Tony, for being here.”

Sir Tony has agreed to sit on the executive of the board, which was originally created to govern Gaza following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas but now appears to have a wide-ranging role promoting peace across the globe. Some critics have described it as Mr Trump’s attempt to create an alternative to the United Nations, with the US President as chairman.

But the UK is refusing to take part, amid concerns about potential Russian involvement in the plan.

Around 35 countries have joined the project, but Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We won’t be one of the signatories today, because this is about a legal treaty that raises much broader issues.

“And we do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine.

“And to be honest, that is also what we should be talking about.”

She confirmed that the UK had been invited to become a member.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was still consulting with its “strategic partners” before deciding whether to commit to the plan.

Mr Trump was joined in Davos by his Argentinian counterpart Javier Milei and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, among others.

Sir Tony did not appear with them on stage for a signing ceremony, but sat in the audience.

Speaking earlier, the former Prime Minister said he looked forward to working with the Board “in line with the President’s vision to promote peace and prosperity.”