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Chilcot report live: Corbyn says parliament should act against Blair after inquiry says case for Iraq war exaggerated Chilcot report live: 'I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you can ever believe,' says Blair
(35 minutes later)
2.43pm BST
14:43
Blair turns to his attitude to America - which is also criticised by Chilcot.
He says the attack on 9/9 was like no other. It was perceived as an attack on freedom.
He says Britain’s strong relationship with America led to America seeking an international coalition to fight al-Qaeda.
He says there should be two pillars to Britain’s foreign policy: a strong relationship with the US, and a strong relationship with Europe.
2.40pm BST
14:40
Blair says the invasion led to Libya disarming, and the shutting down of the AQ Khan nuclear network.
2.39pm BST
14:39
Blair criticises the modern “addiction” to believing the worst of everyone.
2.39pm BST
14:39
Blair says he accepts responsibility for his decision.
But he asks people “with humility” to accept why he did what he did.
He took the decision he did because he thought it was right and because he thought the cost of inaction would be greater.
2.37pm BST
14:37
Blair rejects Chilcot’s claim that decision to invade Iraq could have been delayed
Blair says he persuaded Bush to go down the UN route.
That was backed up by the threat of military action.
He says troops could not have been kept on standby for much longer.
Referring to Chilcot’s claim that he undermined the authority of the UN (see 12.09pm), he says it was the failure to uphold UN security council resolution 1441 that undermined its authority.
He says by the time they got to March he faced a binary choice. Delaying was no longer an option.
2.31pm BST
14:31
Blair says there was no rush to war
Blair asks people to imagine his position. You are seeing the evidence mount up on WMDs; you are considering the possibility of a terrorism attack; and you have a duty to protect the country.
He says there was no rush to war.
Updated
at 2.34pm BST
2.28pm BST
14:28
Blair says the fear of the US administration, which he shared, was that terrorist groups would obtain WMDs. The calculus of risk changed after 9/11, he says.
Saddam’s regime was the place to start, not because he was the only person to have these weapons, but because his record suggested he would be willing to use them.
The final Iraq Survey Group report found that Saddam did indeed intend to go back to developing WMD programmes.
Updated
at 2.34pm BST
2.27pm BST
14:27
Here is the full quote from the start of Blair’s address:
The decision to go to war in Iraq and remove Saddam Hussein from power in a coalition of over 40 countries led by the USA, was the hardest, most momentous, most agonising decision I took in 10 years as British prime minister.
For that decision today I accept full responsibility, without exception and without excuse. I recognise the division felt by many in our country over the war and in particular I feel deeply and sincerely – in a way that no words can properly convey – the grief and suffering of those who lost ones they loved in Iraq, whether the members of our armed forces, the armed forces of other nations, or Iraqis.
The intelligence assessments made at the time of going to war turned out to be wrong. The aftermath turned out to be more hostile, protracted and bloody than ever we imagined. The coalition planned for one set of ground facts and encountered another, and a nation whose people we wanted to set free and secure from the evil of Saddam, became instead victim to sectarian terrorism.
For all of this I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you may ever know or can believe.
Updated
at 2.33pm BST
2.26pm BST
14:26
Blair says he wants to explain what happened.
His premiership changed completely on 9/11, he says.
It was the worst terrorist attack ever.
He says for more than 20 years the regime of Saddam Hussein had been a source of conflict and bloodshed.
Saddam ruled with an unparalleled brutality. His was the only regime to have used WMDs. There was evidence al-Qaida wanted to use these weapons. And 9/11 showed they would have used them.
Updated
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2.22pm BST
14:22
But Blair says there are two things that he cannot do.
He will not say he regrets getting rid of Saddam Hussein.
And he will never accept that soldiers died in vain.
He says they died in the struggle against terror, the defining struggle of our time.
He says he knows some relatives cannot accept this.
He says the report says there were no lies, and decisions were taken in good faith.
But the report makes serious criticisms, he says.
But he says it is wrong to blame the armed forces.
Updated
at 2.23pm BST
2.20pm BST
14:20
Tony Blair's press conference
Tony Blair is giving a press conference now.
He says he will make a long statement. Then he will take questions for as long as necessary.
He says the decision to go to war was the hardest he took.
He takes full responsibility for what happened, without exception or excuse.
Updated
at 2.37pm BST
2.17pm BST
14:17
In the Commons Jeremy Corbyn was heckled by the Labour MP Ian Austin when he was delivering his statement about the Chilcot report. Austin shouted:
Sit down and shut up. You’re a disgrace.
This has outraged some Corbyn supporters, but Austin does not seem too bothered. He has retweeted this.
@frankthetank622 @AMoveToTheLeft If you witnessed @IanAustinMP heckle Jeremy & are upset plz report him to rosie.winterton.mp@parliament.uk
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2.13pm BST
14:13
Alastair Campbell is on BBC News now. He says Tony Blair “was not giving George Bush a blank cheque”. He says there were “no easy decisions on the table”.
He says the deaths of British soldiers and Iraqis weigh heavily on him.
Q: If Blair said ‘I will be with you whatever’, isn’t that a blank cheque?
Campbell says Blair was signalling his support, just as he did when he told the Americans in public after 9/11 that he would be with them whatever.
He says Cameron was right to say it would be a mistake to rule out further military interventions.
Updated
at 2.17pm BST
2.06pm BST2.06pm BST
14:0614:06
In the Commons David Cameron is still responding to questions. Adapting one of Tony Blair’s most famous comments, the SDLP MP Mark Durkan said that this was not a day for soundbites, but today was a day when “the hand of history should be feeling someone’s collar”. Cameron laughed, and said MPs had to take responsibility for their actions.In the Commons David Cameron is still responding to questions. Adapting one of Tony Blair’s most famous comments, the SDLP MP Mark Durkan said that this was not a day for soundbites, but today was a day when “the hand of history should be feeling someone’s collar”. Cameron laughed, and said MPs had to take responsibility for their actions.
2.04pm BST2.04pm BST
14:0414:04
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
Scotland Yard’s war crimes unit is not studying the Iraq inquiry report nor was it given an advance copy by Sir John Chilcot’s team. Scotland Yard’s war crimes unit is not studying the Iraq inquiry report nor was it given an advance copy by Chilcot’s team.
Critics of the war have claimed it was illegal and may have amounted to a war crime. But there is currently no involvement by UK police, and nothing has been referred to them. In a statement Scotland Yard said: “The Chilcot inquiry has not referred any matters to police for criminal investigation at any stage in their work.”Critics of the war have claimed it was illegal and may have amounted to a war crime. But there is currently no involvement by UK police, and nothing has been referred to them. In a statement Scotland Yard said: “The Chilcot inquiry has not referred any matters to police for criminal investigation at any stage in their work.”
The war crimes unit is part of Scotland Yard’s counter terrorism command, which when it does investigate cases, works closely with the Crown Prosecution ServiceThe war crimes unit is part of Scotland Yard’s counter terrorism command, which when it does investigate cases, works closely with the Crown Prosecution Service
The CPS has published this guide to investigating war crimes, including an email address to refer cases. There may be different opinions about whether anything in the vast report may possibly amount to an offence under United Kingdom criminal law.The CPS has published this guide to investigating war crimes, including an email address to refer cases. There may be different opinions about whether anything in the vast report may possibly amount to an offence under United Kingdom criminal law.
Updated
at 2.11pm BST
2.02pm BST2.02pm BST
14:0214:02
Alastair Campbell, who was Tony Blair’s communications director at the time of the Iraq war, has written a long post on his blog about Chilcot. He welcomes the fact that he has not been accused of “sexing up” the dossier about Iraq’s WMDs. And he says it important to remember that leaders have to take difficult decisions. He concludes:Alastair Campbell, who was Tony Blair’s communications director at the time of the Iraq war, has written a long post on his blog about Chilcot. He welcomes the fact that he has not been accused of “sexing up” the dossier about Iraq’s WMDs. And he says it important to remember that leaders have to take difficult decisions. He concludes:
I am going to leave the final word in this piece to the constitutional expert, Professor Vernon Bogdanor. Last month he gave a long and thoughtful lecture on the Iraq war, at Gresham College in London. It was a calm and cold-headed analysis and merits careful reading. But I was particularly struck by his final paragraph.I am going to leave the final word in this piece to the constitutional expert, Professor Vernon Bogdanor. Last month he gave a long and thoughtful lecture on the Iraq war, at Gresham College in London. It was a calm and cold-headed analysis and merits careful reading. But I was particularly struck by his final paragraph.
‘Of course, with hindsight, all things might have been done differently, but as President Bush said, and on this I agree with him, “Hindsight is not a strategy. Everyone’s hindsight is better than the most acute foresight.” My conclusion,’ said Bogdanor, ‘is that there are no easy answers, that Bush and Blair were faced with an almost impossible dilemma, and that all of us should be very grateful that we were not in their shoes and did not have to make their difficult decisions.’‘Of course, with hindsight, all things might have been done differently, but as President Bush said, and on this I agree with him, “Hindsight is not a strategy. Everyone’s hindsight is better than the most acute foresight.” My conclusion,’ said Bogdanor, ‘is that there are no easy answers, that Bush and Blair were faced with an almost impossible dilemma, and that all of us should be very grateful that we were not in their shoes and did not have to make their difficult decisions.’
The Chilcot inquiry panel knows a lot about foreign policy, and about government process. They have been through millions of documents and produced a huge and challenging piece of work. But ultimately, as they recognise, they have never actually had to make the decision they have been examining. Such decisions are the stuff of leadership, which may explain why David Cameron, whose statement I have just listened to as I finish this, seemed to be speaking with considerable sympathy and support for his predecessor. He knows how hard these decisions are. He also knows that there may well be times in the future where we have to put our armed forces in harm’s way once more.The Chilcot inquiry panel knows a lot about foreign policy, and about government process. They have been through millions of documents and produced a huge and challenging piece of work. But ultimately, as they recognise, they have never actually had to make the decision they have been examining. Such decisions are the stuff of leadership, which may explain why David Cameron, whose statement I have just listened to as I finish this, seemed to be speaking with considerable sympathy and support for his predecessor. He knows how hard these decisions are. He also knows that there may well be times in the future where we have to put our armed forces in harm’s way once more.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.09pm BSTat 2.09pm BST
1.54pm BST1.54pm BST
13:5413:54
In the Commons the Green MP Caroline Lucas told David Cameron he and his party should take responsibility for their decision to vote for the war. In his reply Cameron said he did not see the point in going back over old arguments.In the Commons the Green MP Caroline Lucas told David Cameron he and his party should take responsibility for their decision to vote for the war. In his reply Cameron said he did not see the point in going back over old arguments.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.56pm BSTat 1.56pm BST
1.53pm BST1.53pm BST
13:5313:53
The Labour MP Frank Field says Tony Blair should apologise for the decision he took. Field said:The Labour MP Frank Field says Tony Blair should apologise for the decision he took. Field said:
A considered verdict on the Iraq war will evolve over the next few weeks as the Chilcot report is read fully. What is now clear is the total incompetence of Tony Blair in launching a war and having no plan for the day after the Iraqi regime was overthrown.A considered verdict on the Iraq war will evolve over the next few weeks as the Chilcot report is read fully. What is now clear is the total incompetence of Tony Blair in launching a war and having no plan for the day after the Iraqi regime was overthrown.
That gigantic political error resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqis, as well as 179 British soldiers. The Middle East has been thrown into chaos. Tony Blair maintains he has nothing to apologise for. If this record is not one which warrants an apology, it is difficult to think what is.That gigantic political error resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqis, as well as 179 British soldiers. The Middle East has been thrown into chaos. Tony Blair maintains he has nothing to apologise for. If this record is not one which warrants an apology, it is difficult to think what is.
1.49pm BST1.49pm BST
13:4913:49
Here is Mike Hookem, the Ukip defence spokesman, on the Chilcot report:Here is Mike Hookem, the Ukip defence spokesman, on the Chilcot report:
Blair’s quest for personal prestige on the international stage, the failure of the intelligence community and the failure of MPs to properly research the UN’s reasons for not backing military action led to the UK’s armed forces being condemned to seven years of hell for which they were underequipped and not properly supported.Blair’s quest for personal prestige on the international stage, the failure of the intelligence community and the failure of MPs to properly research the UN’s reasons for not backing military action led to the UK’s armed forces being condemned to seven years of hell for which they were underequipped and not properly supported.
The report shines a spotlight on the glaring failures of the government to have any kind of pre- or post-conflict planning which would inevitably lead to the rise of another fundamentalist group as we now have with Daesh (Isis).The report shines a spotlight on the glaring failures of the government to have any kind of pre- or post-conflict planning which would inevitably lead to the rise of another fundamentalist group as we now have with Daesh (Isis).
Each and every one of those involved in taking the UK into Iraq should hang their heads in shame as they have failed both the armed forces and the British people as a whole.Each and every one of those involved in taking the UK into Iraq should hang their heads in shame as they have failed both the armed forces and the British people as a whole.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.52pm BSTat 1.52pm BST
1.49pm BST
13:49
A response from Plaid Cymru’s Westminster group leader, Hywel Williams:
The Chilcot report confirms what Plaid Cymru MPs have said from the beginning – the dossier prepared by Mr Blair to make the case for war was deliberately distorted in order to convince parliament to vote for an illegal war, and did not reflect the evidence given to Mr Blair by the security services. It confirms that Mr Blair undermined the UN security council’s authority and that war was not a last resort.
It is clear that when Blair failed to get the second UN resolution, he handed over UK foreign policy to George Bush. His legacy is a million dead, a failed state and the Middle East in flames. The region as a whole in crisis, with innocent families fleeing their own governments and terrorist organisations, and desperately seeking refuge in Europe.
We cannot have an illegal war with such devastating consequences without a judicial or political reckoning. Mr Blair must be held to account.
Updated
at 1.51pm BST
1.47pm BST
13:47
Sandra Laville
Examination of the Chilcot report is showing some more deficiencies in the military planning for the war (see also here).
A Ministry of Defence list of “showstopping” equipment deficiencies created in May 2002 – just 10 months before the invasion – was not shared with key logistics departments but kept among a tight-knit group of military figures and officials, Chilcot finds.
The deficiencies included not enough tents for troops, with only 2,500 available; a clear “pinch point” relating to the number of support helicopters; and that eight Chinook Mk35 helicopters, ordered in 1995, would not be ready for another two years.
Updated
at 1.50pm BST
1.46pm BST
13:46
In the Commons Alex Salmond, the former Scottish first minister, said he could not see how Tony Blair’s comment to President Bush in July 2002 about being with him “whatever” (see 1.01pm) was in anyway compatible with what Blair was saying at the time publicly.
1.44pm BST
13:44
Speaking on the BBC’s Daily Politics Show Paul Flynn, the leftwing Labour MP and newly appointed shadow leader of the Commons, said he thought there should be “serious consideration” given to the idea of prosecuting Tony Blair.
Updated
at 1.48pm BST
1.40pm BST
13:40
Jack Straw: in hindsight, different decisions would have been made
The foreign secretary at the time of the invasion of Iraq, Jack Straw has released a statement in response to the report, saying that “with the benefit of hindsight, different decisions would have been made in Iraq”.
He added: “The consequences which flow from the decision to take military action against Iraq will live with me for the rest of my life.”
Updated
at 1.48pm BST
1.37pm BST
13:37
Here’s a video extract of Sir John Chilcot introducing his report.
Updated
at 1.48pm BST
1.34pm BST
13:34
The Labour MP Alan Johnson asks Cameron if he has found any evidence of lies told to parliament when the Commons debated Iraq in March 2003.
Cameron says he can’t find an accusation of “deliberately deceiving people” in the report. But there are complaints about information not being presented accurately.
Updated
at 1.48pm BST
1.25pm BST
13:25
Esther Addley
The family members of some of the British servicemen and women who died in Iraq have welcomed the Chilcot report, with many saying it had set down in black and white what they had been arguing for more than a decade.
Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was 19 when he was killed, said: “Now we can turn and say we have got the proof. Twelve years of fighting for my son have been worth it.”
Many spoke of their relief that the report had finally been published. Pauline Graham, Gordon Gentle’s grandmother and Rose Gentle’s mother, said: “Now we know where we stand and what we can do. Tony Blair should betaken to court for trial for murder. He can’t get away with this any more.”
Some fought back tears while speaking of the loved ones they had lost, and there was also widespread anger. Mark Thompson, father of Kevin Thompson, who was killed in 2007, said he also blamed Blair. “He’s destroyed families. We have lost grandchildren. We have lost a daughter-in-law. He’s got everything. He should be stripped of everything he has for what he’s done. It was an illegal war. My son died in vain. He died for no reason.”
Many of the family members hope to bring private prosecutions following the report’s publication, but Matthew Jury, who represents the family members of 29 who died, said it would take “weeks and months of full and proper consideration” before decisions could be made. “Legal proceedings may be possible”, he said, but it was too early to determine anything further.
Peter Brierley, whose son Shaun died in 2003, said: “What I have always said is what I want is to be able to go home, sit in my chair, switch on the telly and say, I have done everything I possibly can. There is nothing else I can do for my son. With this today, that seems at least to be closer now.”
Updated
at 1.47pm BST
1.21pm BST
13:21
The Conservative MP David Davis says that, although Sir John Chilcot does not accuse Tony Blair of deceit, “a lot of evidence” suggests that he did deceive MPs. For example, the Bush memo mentioned earlier (see 1.01pm) said the aim of the invasion was regime change. That is not something Blair admitted at the time. What action can the Commons take about the fact it was deceived.
Cameron says that this issue is complicated. But he says that he has looked at the report carefully, and Chilcot does not seem to be accusing Blair of deceit.
1.19pm BST
13:19
Margaret Beckett, the Labour MP who was environment secretary at the time, sounded almost tearful as she told MPs that people who voted for the war (like her) had to take responsibility for what they did. But did Cameron agree that terrorists also needed to take responsibility for what they did.
Cameron agrees. He says MPs have to take responsibility for how they voted.