Tony Blair to speak at 'ethnic Oscars'

Former prime minister Tony Blair will speak at an event dubbed the "ethnic Oscars" tonight.

He is the keynote speaker at the GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards in central London.

Around 1,000 people will gather at the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane to see awards given out in categories including Man of the Year, Woman of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.

Mr Blair said: "It is an honour to be invited to address this year's GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards, where I look forward to meeting some of Britain's leaders in business, the arts and public service."

Fifteen awards will be handed out on the night, celebrating the role of ethnic and religious minorities in Britain.

Kalpesh Solanki, of the Asian Media & Marketing Group which organises the event, said: "These awards recognise the depth and breadth of talent in Britain today, highlighting the enormous strides Britain's many and varied ethnic minority communities have made over the years.

"There is no other awards ceremony quite like it and we are privileged and honoured this year to have former prime minister Tony Blair grace this event. It promises to be an evening of insight, learning and celebration."