Blair starts Iraq Inquiry grilling

[Mentors]

TONY Blair has started answering questions at the Iraq Inquiry.

The former Prime Minister will try to persuade the nation he did the right thing in toppling Saddam Hussein during today's six-hour grilling.

 

Inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot said the hearing was "much anticipated".

 

He said: "The Iraq invasion remains a divisive subject. It's one that provokes strong emotions, especially for those who lost loved ones  and some of them are here today."

 

Sir John added the session would focus on three key questions: "Why really did we invade Iraq, why Saddam, and why now in March 2003?"

 

Beginning his evidence, Mr Blair said the 9/11 attacks on the United States completely transformed British policy towards Saddam.

 

He believed Saddam was a "monster" before the terror attacks on America's World Trade Centre, but accepted he would have to "make the best" of the situation.

 

He said: "After September 11, our view and the American view changed dramatically.

 

"Those terrorists killed 3,000, but if they could have killed 30,000, they would have.

"We knew we could not take risks with this issue at all. Our perception of the risk had shifted.

"Saddam had billions of dollars. We gave him money to buy food and medicines for his people, but he was not buying them."

Mr Blair said he wanted to make clear that countries developing weapons of mass destruction "had to stop".

He said: "The primary consideration for me was to send an absolutely powerful, clear and unremitting message that, after September 11, if you were a regime engaged in WMD, you had to stop.

"I never considered September 11 to be an attack on America, I considered it to be an attack on us."

 

Last night Gordon Brown pledged his full support to Mr Blair last night, insisting his predecessor would not shirk tough questions.

The PM said: "Tony Blair is able to set out the case, to show the decisions he made, and to do so in the most professional and eloquent way.

"I believe he will be able to answer all the questions that the inquiry puts to him."

 

Hundreds of campaigners surrounded the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre in Westminster, central London, this morning carrying symbolic coffins.

Among them are relatives of some of the 179 British personnel killed in the six-year mission.

 

Many accused Mr Blair of being a "coward" when he was driven into the centre via a side entrance two hours before he was due to give evidence.

Protest organisers said they were "appalled" at the way he had "sneaked" into the inquiry.

Andrew Murray, chairman of the anti-war group, said: "This cowardly and deceitful entrance is typical of how the former prime minister sold the war to the country  behind the backs of the public."

 

Lindsey German, from the Stop The War Coalition, added: "He doesn't have the decency or honesty to face up to the public, military families, and Iraqis who will be here today in huge numbers to show their opposition to the war."

 

Police put up two lines of barriers overnight, forcing demonstrators to stand on the pavement opposite Westminster Abbey.

Many are wearing t-shirts bearing the slogan "Jail Tony".

One group wearing Tony Blair masks and with fake blood on their hands carried a coffin bearing the slogan: "The blood price."

 

Twenty seats have been set aside for families to watch Mr Blair being questioned.

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2830475/Blair-starts-Iraq-Inquiry-grilling.html

 

 

[Bangkoktraveler]

He still holds that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction.

 

I guess if he still believes that he can be brainwashed to believe in almost anything.

[chuckwoww]

I don't know why they keep dancing round the WMD story. Why not just say the invasion was about protecting Israel and Saudi Arabian oil. The legality can be debated forever.

[spirit_of_town_hall]

I wonder if Blair and co have to think which countries they visit in case they are arrested for war crimes?

 

STH

[Bangkoktraveler]

I don't know why they keep dancing round the WMD story. Why not just say the invasion was about protecting Israel and Saudi Arabian oil. The legality can be debated forever.

 

 

Because that will make them look like the agressors. They have to perpetuate the lies - it is their only option. If they don't, then they can be looked upon as war criminals.