Britain's former leader, Tony Blair, said Friday that the nation's voters should be given another chance to weigh in on whether the U.K. should leave the European Union.

The former prime minister told the BBC that people are entitled to change their minds on the crucial decision - particularly since voters made the decision without knowing the exact terms of the precise relationship to come with Europe.

"If it becomes clear that this is either a deal that doesn't make it worth our while leaving, or, alternatively, a deal that is going to be so serious in its implications that people decide they don't want to go, there's got to be some way, either through parliament, or through an election, possibly through another referendum, in which people express their view," Blair said.

The 63-year-old Blair, who was prime minister from 1997 to 2007, has been dropping hints about a possible return to politics.

Britain's government has flatly rejected another vote.

The comments came as a judge in Northern Ireland dismissed the first legal challenge to Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

The case is separate from a landmark legal challenge being heard before Britain's High Court, which argues that Parliament needs to act before Prime Minister Theresa May can trigger negotiations to leave the 28-nation bloc.