Families of British soldiers killed in Iraq are today launching a fund-raising drive as they attempt to take legal action against Tony Blair.

Bereaved relatives are determined to ‘hold to account’ the former prime minister, who they believe should be hauled before the courts for taking the UK to war ‘unconscionably’ and ‘for no just cause or reason’.

Families want to take legal action on the grounds that he misled Parliament to justify the 2003 invasion, which cost the lives of 179 British servicemen and women.

Victim and his grieving mother: Gordon, 19, (left) and Rose Gentle (right) after the release of the Chilcot Report

They accuse Mr Blair of ‘misfeasance in public office’ because he misused his constitutional powers which led to mass casualties.

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died since Saddam Hussein was toppled and large parts of the country are now in the hands of Islamic State.

Now the Iraq War Families Campaign Group, led by Roger Bacon and Reg Keys, whose sons were killed in the conflict, is launching a £150,000 crowd-funding initiative.

It aims to raise the money needed to start the work necessary to bring those responsible for the war to justice. It comes after the Chilcot Report condemned Mr Blair for rushing into a disastrous conflict on the back of suspect intelligence and amid questions over its legality, and for failing to plan for the aftermath of the invasion.

DONATING TO FAMILIES' CAMPAIGN Go to www.crowdjustice.co.uk/case/chilcot Advertisement

The families are pursuing a civil case because the International Criminal Court has refused to take action, the UK authorities will not bring a criminal prosecution, and a bid by MPs to name-and-shame Mr Blair will not result in convictions.

They need a fighting fund so lawyers can undertake a ‘full and forensic’ analysis of the 2.6million-word, 12-volume report to determine whether legal action can be taken.

Until now, the lawyers have worked free of charge, but the size and importance of the task means that it cannot be carried out without proper funding.

The families have launched the campaign using the CrowdJustice website, which enables individuals, groups and communities to come together to fund legal action.

Families of British soldiers killed in Iraq are today launching a fund-raising drive as they attempt to take legal action against Tony Blair

Roger Bacon, whose son Major Matthew Bacon, 34, died when a bomb exploded beside his vehicle near Basra in 2005, said: ‘Our determination to find answers has been redoubled by Sir John’s excoriating view of the Establishment’s tragic and error-strewn display.’

Reg Keys, whose son Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, 20, was murdered by an Iraqi mob in 2003, said: ‘The public support the families have received over the years has been unstinting. We hope and trust the British people will take this opportunity to help us determine what legal actions can be taken and support the campaign to get justice for our loved ones and our country.’

Rose Gentle, whose son Fusilier Gordon Gentle, 19, died when a roadside bomb destroyed his vehicle in 2004 near Basra, is among the other bereaved relatives taking part.

She was overwhelmed as she watched Sir John Chilcot deliver his findings earlier this month. ‘He [Mr Blair] will be remembered not as a prime minister but as a person who sent them on an illegal war,’ she told a press conference. ‘I would love to see him in court.’

Matthew Jury, of McCue & Partners, which is representing the families, said: ‘The report told us what went wrong and who was responsible but it was not a court of law. This is the only chance for justice.’

It comes as Mr Blair was awarded for his 'philanthropic achievements' at a star-studded ceremony in America.

Mr Blair was honoured by deaf charity the Starkey Foundation for his work in Africa, via his Africa Governance Initiative (AGI).

The Labour politician enjoyed a night of glitz and glamour among celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Jennifer Garner, Alice Cooper and Jay Leno and even made a joke when he took to the stage.

The Starkey Foundation tweeted that he quipped: 'I'm still kind of recovering from the fact that my warm-up act was Alice Cooper.'

It came as Mr Blair was awarded for his 'philanthropic achievements' at a star-studded ceremony in America

Tweeting his appearance: Mr Blair was honoured by deaf charity the Starkey Foundation for his work in Africa

The charity later posted a picture of Mr Blair giving his speech with a golden medal hanging around his neck.

The caption read: 'For philanthropic achievements in advancing Africa’s future, proud to honor Rt. Hon. Tony Blair! #StarkeyGala'

On AGI's website it explains that its advisors help African political leaders turn their vision for a better future for their nations into a reality.

Mr Blair became associated with the Starkey Foundation when he visited a hearing mission with its team in May.

On discussing his visit he told their website: 'I do a lot of work in a lot of African countries… This is something that is just direct, it's immediate, it's simple, it's scalable and there are large numbers of people who are benefitting from it.'