Blair silent on Saddam execution

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Tony Blair has refused to comment publicly on the execution of Saddam Hussein, despite increasing pressure.

The PM was on holiday in Miami when the hanging was carried out, and has only said he backs an Iraqi inquiry into leaked video footage of the death.

His deputy, John Prescott, called the manner of Saddam's execution, where footage showed witnesses taunting the former leader, "deplorable".

Mr Blair said he would speak next week about "all those other issues".

Speaking on a tour of a heart hospital in London, he said: "I'll find a way to talk about it but not today. I want to concentrate on the NHS."

'Unfortunate'

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, has described the circumstances surrounding the execution of Saddam Hussein as "deplorable".

The prime minister's silence is more eloquent than anything he might have said Sir Menzies Campbell, Lib Dem leader

Speaking on the World at One on BBC Radio 4, Lord Falconer said it was for the Iraqi courts to decide what should happen and what Saddam Hussein's penalty should be.

But he added: "I think, like the deputy prime minister, that the circumstances of what we saw on the films and the publication of those films was deplorable". Asked why the Prime Minister had refused to comment, Lord Falconer said that was a matter for Mr Blair.

The Lord Chancellor stressed his personal view was that the circumstances of the filming and "what we saw" were "very unfortunate".

Bush reaction

Mr Blair's silence continues despite US President George W Bush finally speaking about the 30 December execution.

Mr Bush said on Friday: "I wish, obviously that the proceedings had gone in a more dignified way.

"But my personal reaction is that Saddam Hussein was given a trial that he was unwilling to give the thousands of people he killed."

It was the first time the president had spoken on the controversial execution. The White House had previously been reluctant to comment.

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has also condemned the chaotic scenes at the execution saying they would turn Saddam into a "martyr".

Mr Mubarak said the unofficial pictures that emerged of the event were revolting and barbaric.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is the most senior British politician to make an official comment on the execution.

'Shameful scenes'

Speaking shortly after it was carried out, she said: "I welcome that Saddam Hussein and the other defendants have faced justice and have been held to account for their crimes."

Mr Prescott said those responsible for the scenes at the gallows should be "ashamed", without saying if that included the Iraqi government.

But Mr Blair has refused to endorse Mr Prescott's comments, which Downing Street described as the deputy prime minister's "personal opinion".

Mr Blair opposes the death penalty but has said it was down to the Iraqi government to decide how to deal with Saddam.

Commenting on the row, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The prime minister's silence is more eloquent than anything he might have said.

"The shameful scenes at Saddam Hussein's execution should be an embarrassment to everyone.

"Most of all they reflect the abject failure of the policies of the White House and Number 10 towards Iraq.

"Sooner or later Mr Blair will have to respond to these events."