A renowned British charity director has said that the foreign policy of Tony Blair, particularly regarding the Iraq invasion, has drastically weakened Britain's global credibility and its ability to be a force for good.

"The Iraq war was a terrible misadventure," said Oxfam director, Barbara Stocking.

In its report titled "A Fair Foreign Policy", the aid agency stated that sending troops to invade Iraq crippled Britain's ability to help stop genocide, mass war crimes and human rights abuses.

"Labour's foreign policy had been at its best when it was in in tune with public opinion and international law."

"However it is now clear that the invasion of Iraq, and the government's failure to stand up to all governments when they break international law and harm innocent people, have seriously damaged Britain's capacity to be a force for good on the world stage."

In the final days leading up to Tony Blair’s departure from public office, the level of public dissatisfaction with his policies has reached unprecedented levels, with many Britons giving his ten year tenure a damning verdict.

Even the former US president, Jimmy Carter, criticised Blair for being "so compliant and subservient" to George Bush. But Oxfam also highlighted positive examples of British intervention such as Blair's efforts to focus the attention of the G8 on Africa.

"In much of Africa, there is genuine appreciation for what the UK has done, which goes beyond a recognition of its increasing development and humanitarian assistance."

Oxfam said Britain could restore its reputation by actively working to protect civilians, consistently challenging abuses of humanitarian law and human rights and pursuing fairer relations with developing countries.

Barbara Stocking said; "We must say 'never again' as much to our failure to stop these atrocities, as to repeating Iraq."