Tony Blair and the Chilcot Inquiry

The current British PM Gordon Brown announced on July 15 2009 that .."an Inquiry would be conducted to identify lessons that can be learned from the Iraq conflict."

The Inquiry was officially launched on July 30th 2009 when Sir John Chilcott, the chairman made these introductory remarks

• "Our terms of reference are very broad, but the essential points, as set out by the Prime Minister and agreed by the House of Commons, are that this is an Inquiry by a committee of Privy Counsellors. It will consider the period from the summer of 2001 to the end of July 2009, embracing the run-up to the conflict in Iraq, the military action and its aftermath. We will therefore be considering the UK's involvement in Iraq, including the way decisions were made and actions taken, to establish, as accurately as possible, what happened and to identify the lessons that can be learned. Those lessons will help ensure that, if we face similar situations in future, the government of the day is best equipped to respond to those situations in the most effective manner in the best interests of the country."

However, what the world really wanted to know was the answer to the question :-

'did Tony Blair and George Bush know there were no weapons of mass destruction and that the so-called intelligence was inaccurate or simply made up to suit their purposes'

Only some time after the Inquiry had been announced, a further statement was made that Tony Blair would be called to give evidence at the Inquiry which surprised me, and even more surprisingly, that evidence would be given in public. The Inquiry does have powers to hear some evidence in private.

Furthermore, the families of servicemen and women who lost their lives in Iraq will be interested to know if the Government subsequently put as much money as they could into funding the war and equipment. There have been well-publicised allegations that the budget was slashed and that the result was that lives were lost because soldiers had inadequate or inappropriate equipment for the deployment.
However, I invite you to follow the links on this lens and make up your own minds if you have not already done so.

For more information about the Inquiry, this is the official website. Chilcot Inquiry

I have never been a Labour supporter in my whole life and I particularly disliked Tony Blair who I never trusted, not just on this topic, but not on any subject, during his entire term as British Prime Minister. Suffice it to say that had I been an American citizen I would never have voted for George Bush in a Presidential election, and find it incredible that he ever got elected.

I also emphatically dislike and distrust our present Prime Minister Gordon Brown who was Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time we went to war with Iraq.

I have listened to what both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have had to say and have found their answers evasive and inconclusive. Frankly I don't believe what either of them have said, especially with regard to funding the war. It would not surprise me if evidence comes to light - perhaps a careless email or written note from the ex-Chancellor or ex-Prime Minister that refers to defence budget cuts.

I absolutely support UK troops sent into both Iraq and Afghanistan and have contributed to their welfare by means of personal donation to charities such as 'Help the Heroes' that help them and their families. I just happen to think that they shouldn't have ever been sent to either theatre of war. Engaging those countries in conflict has done little to prevent further terrorist attacks anywhere in the world.

Just a few days ago, Gordon Brown announced spending that would give troops now in Afghanistan more and better equipment. However they won't GET that kit until the end of 2011. How many will die before then? How many might have been saved had that funding been given more promptly?

That's my opinion. You are entitled to yours and the duel is the place to put it.