Former British prime minister Tony Blair, right, attends a public book-signing with Eason book store managing director Conor Whelan in Dublin on Sept. 4, 2010. (Associated Press)

Former British prime minister Tony Blair has cancelled a second London event to launch his memoir after protesters threatened to picket it.

A party scheduled for Wednesday at Tate Modern, London's most prestigious contemporary art gallery, has been postponed, according to Blair spokesman Matthew Doyle.

Blair's memoir, A Journey, has rocketed to the top of bestseller lists in Britain and is among the top 20 in North America.

But the book has inflamed passions over his controversial decision to join the war in Iraq, for which he offers no apologies.

He was greeted by protesters throwing eggs and shoes at a book-signing in Dublin last week and cancelled an event at a Waterstone's bookstore in London because of security concerns.

Blair's spokesman offered no reasons for the postponement of the Tate Modern party, but protesters had already threatened to picket the event.

British artists associated with the gallery, among them Tracey Emin, Vivienne Westwood and Brian Eno, have written to the Guardian newspaper saying the Tate was not an appropriate venue.

"It is disgusting that an institution at the heart of British culture should have allowed this event to take place," said Kat Phillips, one of the artists who helped organize the protest.

"Blair says he takes responsibility for destroying Iraq but in fact does nothing but celebrate the war."

Blair has agreed to appear Wednesday on ITV's chat show This Morning to talk about his book.

With files from The Associated Press