Blair Accused of Misleading Parliament on Iraq War Legality

Strategic Insights -

Tony Blair has been accused of misleading Parliament about the legality of the Iraq war days before he gives new evidence to the official inquiry. The criticism comes from Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney-General at the time of the invasion, who revealed that he was "uncomfortable" about Mr Blair's statements in the months before the invasion in March 2003. Lord Goldsmith stated that he had been shut out of crucial talks about the legality of going to war and that he advised Mr Blair in January 2003 that the United Nations Security Council resolution 1441 was not enough on its own to justify the use of force against Iraq.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lord Goldsmith accused Tony Blair of misleading Parliament about the legality of the Iraq war, stating that he was "uncomfortable" about Mr Blair's statements.
  • Lord Goldsmith revealed that he was shut out of crucial talks about the legality of going to war and that he advised Mr Blair in January 2003 that the United Nations Security Council resolution 1441 was not enough on its own to justify the use of force against Iraq.
  • Mr. Blair's words on the Iraq war's legality were not compatible with the advice he received from Lord Goldsmith.
  • Lord Goldsmith eventually changed his mind about the legality of the war after meeting American government lawyers and Britain's ambassador to the UN, Sir Jeremy Greenstock.
  • Tony Blair insisted in his evidence to the inquiry last year that Britain could not have attacked Iraq if Lord Goldsmith had said it was illegal.
  • Critics have suggested that the Attorney-General was heavily leaned on by Downing Street to agree that the invasion would be lawful under Resolution 1441.
  • Lord Goldsmith stated that he was not being sufficiently involved in the meetings and discussions about the resolution and the policy behind it that were taking place at ministerial level.

Statistics:

  • Dated November 2002: UN Security Council passed Resolution 1441.
  • January 2003: Lord Goldsmith advised Tony Blair that the United Nations Security Council resolution 1441 was not enough on its own to justify the use of force against Iraq.
  • October 2002: Lord Goldsmith told Tony Blair that it was important for him to be kept "closely informed" of developments on the Iraq war.
  • March 2003: The invasion of Iraq began.
  • Last year: Tony Blair gave evidence to the inquiry, but left "gaps" in his evidence which prompted the recall for further questioning.
  • Friday: Tony Blair will be questioned for a second time by the inquiry.

Sources:

  • BBC Newsnight (unnamed source)
  • Lord Goldsmith's statement to the Iraq inquiry
  • Tony Blair's evidence to the inquiry last year
  • Ed Balls' letter to the inquiry
  • The Guardian (unnamed source)
  • The Telegraph (unnamed source)