article_snippet: Mr Blair and Gordon Brown attended the service but left out of a back entrance of St Paul’s to avoid coming face to face with the families of those who died in Afghanistan.
article_snippet: Tony Blair and Gordon Brown left several minutes before the other guests, escorted by bodyguards to separate BMW saloons.
article_snippet: Relatives had reacted with fury last week when told Mr Blair and Mr Brown would be among the congregation, with one saying Mr Blair
article_snippet: ‘got blood on Mr Blair hands’.
article_snippet: A spokesman for Mr Blair said A spokesman for Mr Blair had to leave quickly to fly to an economic conference in Egypt.
article_snippet: It is deeply offensive to both our Armed Forces and to Ed.'
article_snippet: Quick exit: Former prime ministers Gordon Brown (left) and Tony Blair at Friday's commemoration .
highlights_snippet: Mr Blair and Mr Brown among congregation but left out of back entrance .
  
highlights_snippet: Relatives reacted with fury when told former PMs would be attending .
  