The Chilcot Enquiry - Round 2
 

Philippe Sands The Guardian, Friday 21 January 2011 Article history


The questions Tony Blair should face at the Chilcot inquiry Panel must probe inconsistencies and gaps in Blair's account that have come to light since his first appearance at the inquiry

Evidence suggests Tony Blair ignored legal advice and gave an early commitment to George Bush that was not disclosed to the cabinet or to parliament Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

Since Tony Blair appeared before the Chilcot inquiry in January 2010 new witness testimony, documentary evidence and information has emerged that suggests the evidence he gave was incomplete or inaccurate. This material – together with other material that has not yet been declassified but which I have seen – indicates that Blair ignored legal advice and gave an early commitment to President Bush that was not disclosed to the cabinet or to parliament. Of particular significance is the evidence from, and relating to, the attorney general, including his statement of 4 January 2011, published earlier this week. The Chilcot inquiry has everything it needs to establish that Blair willingly and knowingly misled the cabinet, parliament and the British public. These are the kinds of questions it should be asking, with probing follow-up questions that direct Blair to specific documents that point out the inconsistencies and gaps in his accounts:


1This month Lord Goldsmith told the inquiry that in October 2002 he "learned that the prime minister had indicated to President Bush that he would join the US in acting without a second security council decision if Iraq failed to take the action that was required by the draft resolution [1441]". Is his account accurate? Assuming it to be accurate, can you explain why you failed to disclose this undertaking to the cabinet or to parliament in 2002, or to this inquiry during your last appearance?


2Lord Goldsmith has also now told the inquiry that the statement you made to parliament on 15 January 2003 (that in certain circumstances a further security council resolution would not be necessary) was incompatible with the legal advice he had given you. Why did you ignore his advice?


3In his memoir (Decision Points), President Bush gives the following account of your meeting with him on 31 January 2003 in the White House: "Tony wanted to go back to the UN for a second resolution … 'It's not that we need it,' Tony said. 'A second resolution gives us military and political protection.'" Can you confirm this to be an accurate account of what you said to him? Assuming that to be the case, can we proceed on the basis that you would not object to the declassification of extracts from (1) your letters to President Bush, and (2) accounts of your meetings with him that confirm his account?


4On 30 January 2003 Lord Goldsmith wrote to you that "resolution 1441 does not authorise the use of military force without a further determination by the security council … that Iraq's conduct indicates that it has failed to take the final opportunity grated by the council". President Bush's memoirs indicate that you did not give effect to that advice; on what basis did you feel able to ignore the advice of the attorney general? Given the consistency and clarity of the advice given to you by the attorney general over the preceding eight months, did you have any reason for believing that his advice was liable to change so dramatically?


5Why did you not share with the cabinet any information about the commitment you had given to President Bush at the White House on 31 January 2003? Would you accept that your account to parliament about that meeting with President Bush was incomplete and inaccurate?

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Let's hope that justice is finally served and the War Criminal Blair responsible, not only for the deaths of so many british servicemen and women, but also for the civilian deaths caused by terrorist acts in Britain, and the heightened state of fear we now all live under, is finally nailed and put where he belongs -behind bars.

Blair is a war criminal.