Blair unrepentant on Iraq decision
Tony Blair stands by decision to go to war
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 30, Nov 2009 01:54
By Maria Tonelli.
Tony Blair has claimed he stands by his decision on taking the UK to war with Iraq in an interview on CNN.
Mr Blair, who is due to appear before the inquiry into the conflict in the New Year, said he is happy to give evidence on an issue which has led to his reputation to be questioned on numerous occasions.
He also dismissed claims by former attorney general Lord Goldsmith that he was bullied into silence after warning Mr Blair that going to war would breach international law.
When asked by presenter John King if he felt betrayed by his former aides, Mr Blair replied: "Absolutely not.
"As the leader of a country, you have the responsibility to take decisions, some of those decisions are difficult decisions and some of them are very controversial."
Mr Blair, currently envoy for the Middle East quartet, added: "I take decisions, I stand by them."
Mr Blair was warned as early as July 2002, eight months before the invasion of Iraq, by Lord Goldsmith, who outlined concerns of a legitimate invasion without a resolution from the United Nations (UN).
He warned that calls for a 'regime change' would not be sufficient to go to war.
The memo was soon followed by UN resolution 1441 - widely seen to give an invasion more legal legitimacy.
Just days before the invasion in 2003, he famously gave qualified legal backing in a statement.
Lord Goldsmith has refused to comment ahead of his appearance at the inquiry, but a spokesman said: "He strongly refutes the suggestion he might have been forced to take a view that was anything other than independent."