Tony Blair misled Parliament by claiming that Britain could legally attack Iraq in the face of United Nations opposition despite being given clear advice to the contrary, new evidence suggests. In evidence to the Iraq inquiry, Lord Goldsmith, who at the time was the Government’s top legal adviser, disclosed that he was “uncomfortable” about statements made by the then Prime Minister in the run up to the 2003 invasion.
Two months before the war began, in a meeting at No 10, the former Attorney General told Mr Blair that war would not be legal without a fresh mandate from the UN.
Two months before the war began, in a meeting at No 10, the former Attorney General told Mr Blair that war would not be legal without a fresh mandate from the UN.
In a statement to MPs the following day, however, the Labour prime minister said that there were “circumstances” in which an attack could be valid.
The following month, he gave an interview in which he suggested that war would be legal if another nation had made an “unreasonable” veto at the UN on military action.
A witness statement to the Chilcot Inquiry into the war, published today, makes clear that Lord Goldsmith considered that this did not accord with the advice he had given Mr Blair.
A witness statement to the Chilcot Inquiry into the war, published today, makes clear that Lord Goldsmith considered that this did not accord with the advice he had given Mr Blair.
If Blair misled Parliament that he must be tried and if found guilty, given the correct sentence for his crimes. Thousands if not millions of people have died in Iraq on both sides of the conflict. A conflict that was fought for oil. Pure and simple. If he American people can live with that, it's not for us to comment on the innocence or otherwise of Bush. We should however, deal with this arrogant fucker. When it comes down to the crunch Tony, you can always depend on a Jew to stick it to you! And you a good Catholic too!
