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Chilcot report live: George Bush says 'world is better off' without Saddam as Tony Blair mounts Iraq war defence Chilcot report live: George Bush says 'world is better off' without Saddam as Tony Blair mounts Iraq war defence
(35 minutes later)
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9 Chilcot findings rejected by Tony Blair
Andrew Sparrow
Tony Blair’s lengthy speech about the Chilcot report, and his subsequent Q&A with journalists, was remarkable. Blair has expressed sorrow and regret about what happened before, but today, particularly in his opening remarks, he sounded more emotional and contrite than ever.
The intelligence statements made at the time of going to war turned out to be wrong.
The aftermath turned out more hostile, protracted and bloody than we ever imagined.
The coalition planned for one set of ground facts and encountered another.
A nation whose people we wanted to see free and secure from the evil of Saddam became instead victim of sectarian terrorism.
For all of this I express more sorrow, regret and apology and in greater measure than you can know or may believe.
But the raw emotion (genuine, I believe, although no doubt many will assume it wasn’t) could not conceal the fact that Blair’s performance was a statement of defiance.
Earlier this year Tony Blair said in an interview that at some point “the political class as a whole has got to get up and stand up for itself”. That’s what he was doing this afternoon. His main complaint about Sir John Chilcot was that Chilcot did not recognise what it was like to have to take decisions. Blair repeatedly criticised Chilcot for refusing to consider what might have happened if Britain has chosen not to support the invasion of Iraq, suggesting that there was a thick streak of naivety or otherworldliness running through the report.
But Blair also rejected many of Chilcot’s specific conclusions. I’ve counted at least nine points where Blair said Chilcot was wrong. Here they are:
The inquiry finds that as at 18 March war was not the ‘last resort’. But given the impasse at the UN and the insistence of the USA – for reasons I completely understood and with hundreds of thousands of troops in theatre which could not be kept in situ indefinitely – it was the last moment of decision for us, as the report accepts.
The inquiry finds that going to war without a majority of the UNSC in agreement ‘undermined the authority of the UN.’
The reality is that we – Britain – had continually tried to act with the authority of the UN. I successfully convinced the Americans to go back to the UN in November 2002 to secure resolution 1441.
Whilst they accept that it was my prerogative as PM to decide to be with the USA in military action, the inquiry questions whether this was really necessary.
9/11 was an event like no other in US history. I considered it an attack on all the free world. I believed that Britain – as America’s strongest ally – should be with them in tackling this new and unprecedented security challenge. I believed it important that America was not alone but part of a wider coalition. In the end, a majority even of the European Union nations supported action in Iraq.
The inquiry finds that there were some warnings about sectarian fighting and bloodletting. I accept that but would point out that nowhere were these highlighted as the main risk and in any event what we faced was not the anticipated internal bloodletting but an all-out insurgency stimulated by external arms and money.
I do not think it is fair or accurate to criticise the armed forces, intelligence services, or civil service. It was my decision they were acting upon. The armed forces in particular did an extraordinary job throughout our engagement in Iraq in the incredibly difficult mission we gave them.
Some of the Chilcot criticisms are of the armed forces are set out here.
That’s all from me and Peter for today.
We are handing over to Alan Yuhas.
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George Bush says world is better off without Saddam Hussein in powerGeorge Bush says world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power
George W Bush, the former American president, has defended the decision to invade Iraq following the publication of today’s report. A spokesman for Bush said:George W Bush, the former American president, has defended the decision to invade Iraq following the publication of today’s report. A spokesman for Bush said:
President Bush is hosting wounded warriors at his ranch today and has not had the chance to read the Chilcot report. Despite the intelligence failures and other mistakes he has acknowledged previously, President Bush continues to believe the whole world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power. He is deeply grateful for the service and sacrifice of American and coalition forces in the war on terror. And there was no stronger ally than the United Kingdom under the leadership of Prime Minister Tony Blair. President Bush believes we must now find the unity and resolve to stay on the offensive and defeat radical extremism wherever it exists.President Bush is hosting wounded warriors at his ranch today and has not had the chance to read the Chilcot report. Despite the intelligence failures and other mistakes he has acknowledged previously, President Bush continues to believe the whole world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power. He is deeply grateful for the service and sacrifice of American and coalition forces in the war on terror. And there was no stronger ally than the United Kingdom under the leadership of Prime Minister Tony Blair. President Bush believes we must now find the unity and resolve to stay on the offensive and defeat radical extremism wherever it exists.
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Here are two diplomatic experts on Chilcot.Here are two diplomatic experts on Chilcot.
From John Simpson, the BBC’s world affairs editorFrom John Simpson, the BBC’s world affairs editor
#Chilcot shows that UK's Iraq invasion as bad as Suez.Led to cynicism about politics which maybe played part in #Brexit#Chilcot shows that UK's Iraq invasion as bad as Suez.Led to cynicism about politics which maybe played part in #Brexit
From Patrick Wintour, the Guardian’s diplomatic editorFrom Patrick Wintour, the Guardian’s diplomatic editor
Apart the effective damning Blair judgement, Chilcot totally lacks historical sweep, context or analysis. Reads like Diary of a Mandarin.Apart the effective damning Blair judgement, Chilcot totally lacks historical sweep, context or analysis. Reads like Diary of a Mandarin.
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Corbyn apologises for war on behalf of Labour to Iraqis, to soldiers' families and to BritonsCorbyn apologises for war on behalf of Labour to Iraqis, to soldiers' families and to Britons
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, is giving a speech in Westminster about the Chilcot report now. Much of the speech was the same as the one he gave in the House of Commons, but towards the end he has just included an apology on behalf of Labour for the decision to go to war.Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, is giving a speech in Westminster about the Chilcot report now. Much of the speech was the same as the one he gave in the House of Commons, but towards the end he has just included an apology on behalf of Labour for the decision to go to war.
So I now apologise sincerely on behalf of my party for the disastrous decision to go to war in Iraq in March 2003.So I now apologise sincerely on behalf of my party for the disastrous decision to go to war in Iraq in March 2003.
That apology is owed first of all to the people of Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and the country is still living with the devastating consequences of the war and the forces it unleashed.That apology is owed first of all to the people of Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and the country is still living with the devastating consequences of the war and the forces it unleashed.
They have paid the greatest price for the most serious foreign policy calamity of the last 60 years.They have paid the greatest price for the most serious foreign policy calamity of the last 60 years.
The apology is also owed to the families of those soldiers who died in Iraq or who have returned home injured or incapacitated.The apology is also owed to the families of those soldiers who died in Iraq or who have returned home injured or incapacitated.
They did their duty but it was in a conflict they should never have been sent to.They did their duty but it was in a conflict they should never have been sent to.
Finally, it is an apology to the millions of British citizens who feel our democracy was traduced and undermined by the way in which the decision to go to war was taken on the basic of secret ‘I will be with you, whatever’ understandings given to the US president that have now been publicly exposed.Finally, it is an apology to the millions of British citizens who feel our democracy was traduced and undermined by the way in which the decision to go to war was taken on the basic of secret ‘I will be with you, whatever’ understandings given to the US president that have now been publicly exposed.
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Lord Butler says Blair exaggerated the reliability of the intelligence, but did not lieLord Butler says Blair exaggerated the reliability of the intelligence, but did not lie
In a debate in the House of Lords in 2007 Lord Butler, the former cabinet secretary who chaired a report into the use of intelligence in the run up to the Iraq war, said that Tony Blair was “disingenuous” about the WMD intelligence because it did not show conclusively that Saddam Hussein had WMD, as Blair suggested. Butler also told peers that when Blair said the WMD intelligence was “extensive, detailed and authoritative”, those words “could simply not have been justified”. Peter Oborne quotes Butler repeatedly in his book Not the Chilcot Report to help make his case that Blair can be accused of lying.In a debate in the House of Lords in 2007 Lord Butler, the former cabinet secretary who chaired a report into the use of intelligence in the run up to the Iraq war, said that Tony Blair was “disingenuous” about the WMD intelligence because it did not show conclusively that Saddam Hussein had WMD, as Blair suggested. Butler also told peers that when Blair said the WMD intelligence was “extensive, detailed and authoritative”, those words “could simply not have been justified”. Peter Oborne quotes Butler repeatedly in his book Not the Chilcot Report to help make his case that Blair can be accused of lying.
But Butler has been giving interviews to Sky and BBC News this afternoon and he did not go as far as he did in the Lords. He said that, although Blair was guilty of “exaggerating the reliability of the intelligence”, he would not accuse him of lying. He also said he did not think Blair should be taken to court. That would only be justified if Blair was criminally negligent, Butler said. But he said he did not believe Blair was criminally negligent.But Butler has been giving interviews to Sky and BBC News this afternoon and he did not go as far as he did in the Lords. He said that, although Blair was guilty of “exaggerating the reliability of the intelligence”, he would not accuse him of lying. He also said he did not think Blair should be taken to court. That would only be justified if Blair was criminally negligent, Butler said. But he said he did not believe Blair was criminally negligent.
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Jack Straw, who was foreign secretary at the time of the Iraq war, is being interview on Sky News. He says Tony Blair was “never gung-ho” about war.Jack Straw, who was foreign secretary at the time of the Iraq war, is being interview on Sky News. He says Tony Blair was “never gung-ho” about war.
Asked about the phrase “I will be with you, whatever” that Tony Blair included in his July 2002 memo to Bush, Straw says he thought that was unwise because it would be misinterpreted.Asked about the phrase “I will be with you, whatever” that Tony Blair included in his July 2002 memo to Bush, Straw says he thought that was unwise because it would be misinterpreted.
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Goldsmith says Chilcot backs his finding that war was legalGoldsmith says Chilcot backs his finding that war was legal
Lord Goldsmith, attorney general at the time of the Iraq war, has put out a statement about the Chilcot report.Lord Goldsmith, attorney general at the time of the Iraq war, has put out a statement about the Chilcot report.
He says he welcomes the fact that there is nothing in the report that challenges his conclusion that the war was legal, and nothing in the report which challenges the fact that this was his “honestly held view”.He says he welcomes the fact that there is nothing in the report that challenges his conclusion that the war was legal, and nothing in the report which challenges the fact that this was his “honestly held view”.
Lord Goldsmith, then attorney general, on #Chilcot pic.twitter.com/bHEchl16ClLord Goldsmith, then attorney general, on #Chilcot pic.twitter.com/bHEchl16Cl
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Here is the full text of Tony Blair’s opening statement.Here is the full text of Tony Blair’s opening statement.
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Reg Keys says Blair's statement was 'ramblings of a madman'Reg Keys says Blair's statement was 'ramblings of a madman'
Reg Keys, whose son Tom died in Iraq and who stood against Tony Blair in the 2005 election, is responding to Tony Blair now on BBC News.Reg Keys, whose son Tom died in Iraq and who stood against Tony Blair in the 2005 election, is responding to Tony Blair now on BBC News.
He says Blair was rambling. Blair feels he has been exonerated by Chilcot, Keys says. But he says that is not what the report says.He says Blair was rambling. Blair feels he has been exonerated by Chilcot, Keys says. But he says that is not what the report says.
He says Blair misled parliament. And he accuses Blair of refusing to meeting relatives of those killed in Iraq.He says Blair misled parliament. And he accuses Blair of refusing to meeting relatives of those killed in Iraq.
Keys says his view is that his son and other soldiers did die in vain.Keys says his view is that his son and other soldiers did die in vain.
He says Blair is a “consummate actor”. He says Blair’s comments were just “the ramblings of a madman”.He says Blair is a “consummate actor”. He says Blair’s comments were just “the ramblings of a madman”.
He says Blair has been found guilty by Sir John Chilcot.He says Blair has been found guilty by Sir John Chilcot.
Relatives of servicemen killed are handing the findings to lawyers. They will take whatever action is appropriate.Relatives of servicemen killed are handing the findings to lawyers. They will take whatever action is appropriate.
He says Chilcot has done a “damn good job”. It is a very thorough report, he says.He says Chilcot has done a “damn good job”. It is a very thorough report, he says.
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Q: Do you accept that the lack of trust created by Iraq led to people voting to leave the EU, because they don’t trust politicians.Q: Do you accept that the lack of trust created by Iraq led to people voting to leave the EU, because they don’t trust politicians.
Blair says he thinks that argument is “a bit of a stretch”.Blair says he thinks that argument is “a bit of a stretch”.
People are entitled to expect politicians to act in good faith. But they also need them to take decisions.People are entitled to expect politicians to act in good faith. But they also need them to take decisions.
He says there are many aspects to the question of why there is a disconnect between the public and politicians. But that is a topic for another day.He says there are many aspects to the question of why there is a disconnect between the public and politicians. But that is a topic for another day.
However, this report does show that he acted in good faith.However, this report does show that he acted in good faith.
It is best to have politicians who take decisions, not duck them, he says.It is best to have politicians who take decisions, not duck them, he says.
And that’s it. His marathon press conference is over.And that’s it. His marathon press conference is over.
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Q: Did you over-estimate your own ability to influence the Americans?Q: Did you over-estimate your own ability to influence the Americans?
No, says Blair. He says he had a good assessment of his influence.No, says Blair. He says he had a good assessment of his influence.
He says he is not clear whether Chilcot is saying the UK should not have invaded with America, or whether he is just saying the UK should not have invaded in March 2003.He says he is not clear whether Chilcot is saying the UK should not have invaded with America, or whether he is just saying the UK should not have invaded in March 2003.
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Blair says his worry after 9/11 was that America would go after al-Qaida on its own.Blair says his worry after 9/11 was that America would go after al-Qaida on its own.
He says he wanted the Americans to know Britain would support them because he wanted them to build a coalition. And that worked well in Afghanistan, he says.He says he wanted the Americans to know Britain would support them because he wanted them to build a coalition. And that worked well in Afghanistan, he says.
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Q: Do you think the Iraqis are better off since the invasion?Q: Do you think the Iraqis are better off since the invasion?
Blair says it would depend who you ask. Some would say yes. The Kurds are better off, he says. And he says an aide to the Iraqi president made a statement today saying Iraq was better off.Blair says it would depend who you ask. Some would say yes. The Kurds are better off, he says. And he says an aide to the Iraqi president made a statement today saying Iraq was better off.
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Q: If America had not been committed to invasion, would you have tried to persuade them to invade Iraq?Q: If America had not been committed to invasion, would you have tried to persuade them to invade Iraq?
Blair says that is a very good question.Blair says that is a very good question.
He would definitely have been in favour of taking action to stop WMDs falling into terrorist hands.He would definitely have been in favour of taking action to stop WMDs falling into terrorist hands.
He says his first intervention in Iraq was with President Clinton. After that America adopted regime change in Iraq as official policy.He says his first intervention in Iraq was with President Clinton. After that America adopted regime change in Iraq as official policy.
He does not know how it would have turned out if there had been a different US president. But he had to deal with the situation as it was.He does not know how it would have turned out if there had been a different US president. But he had to deal with the situation as it was.
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Q: You said history would be the judge of your decision on Iraq. And this is the first judgment of history. Why are you rejecting it?Q: You said history would be the judge of your decision on Iraq. And this is the first judgment of history. Why are you rejecting it?
Blair says he thinks Iraq will stabilise and the Middle East will stabilise.Blair says he thinks Iraq will stabilise and the Middle East will stabilise.
There is a drive to get rid of sectarian politics, and replace it with rule-based politics.There is a drive to get rid of sectarian politics, and replace it with rule-based politics.
Iraq under Saddam had no chance. Now it does have a chance, he says.Iraq under Saddam had no chance. Now it does have a chance, he says.
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Q: You say your comments will not affect how you are seen. So is there any point giving this explanation?Q: You say your comments will not affect how you are seen. So is there any point giving this explanation?
Blair says he thinks there is more understanding in the country than people think.Blair says he thinks there is more understanding in the country than people think.
And the report does not say he acted in bad faith.And the report does not say he acted in bad faith.
He says people should trust a politician most when they are taking a difficult decision.He says people should trust a politician most when they are taking a difficult decision.
He thinks about this every day, he says. And he keeps coming back to the point that he was right to remove Saddam.He thinks about this every day, he says. And he keeps coming back to the point that he was right to remove Saddam.
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Q: Jonathan Powell and David Manning urged you to remove the phrase ‘I will be with you, whatever’ from your note to President Bush. So isn’t it disingenuous to claim it was not a blank cheque?Q: Jonathan Powell and David Manning urged you to remove the phrase ‘I will be with you, whatever’ from your note to President Bush. So isn’t it disingenuous to claim it was not a blank cheque?
Blair says it was not a blank cheque. He says other words were removed from the draft. But he needed to be at the heart of US decision making. He needed to ensure they went down the UN route; and they did.Blair says it was not a blank cheque. He says other words were removed from the draft. But he needed to be at the heart of US decision making. He needed to ensure they went down the UN route; and they did.
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Q: Lots of people in the UK looked at George Bush and didn’t trust him. They thought he was gung-ho. What do feel about that, and are you still in touch with him?Q: Lots of people in the UK looked at George Bush and didn’t trust him. They thought he was gung-ho. What do feel about that, and are you still in touch with him?
Blair says he is in touch with many people.Blair says he is in touch with many people.
He says his prompting encouraged Bush to commit to a Palestinian state. He says Bush committed to going down the UN route, even though others in the administration were opposed.He says his prompting encouraged Bush to commit to a Palestinian state. He says Bush committed to going down the UN route, even though others in the administration were opposed.
He says he “completely disagrees” with a line in the Chilcot report saying France and Germany have a strong relationship with the US, even though they opposed the invasion. He says France and Germany had to work hard to repair the damage done by their stance on Iraq.He says he “completely disagrees” with a line in the Chilcot report saying France and Germany have a strong relationship with the US, even though they opposed the invasion. He says France and Germany had to work hard to repair the damage done by their stance on Iraq.
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Q: You have expressed sorrow, but you say you do not regret what you did. Can you see why people look at this and conclude they do not trust you?Q: You have expressed sorrow, but you say you do not regret what you did. Can you see why people look at this and conclude they do not trust you?
Blair says there is no inconsistency between the two things.Blair says there is no inconsistency between the two things.
He says he spends so much of his time considering this. He could not say he regrets something when he does not.He says he spends so much of his time considering this. He could not say he regrets something when he does not.
Q: You say the calculus of risk changed after 9/11. There were no links between al-Qaida and Iraq. But there are links between al-Qaida and Arab countries where you have built a business career.Q: You say the calculus of risk changed after 9/11. There were no links between al-Qaida and Iraq. But there are links between al-Qaida and Arab countries where you have built a business career.
He says he never claimed there was a link between Iraq and al-Qaida, although some in America did.He says he never claimed there was a link between Iraq and al-Qaida, although some in America did.
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