Straw in Iraq clash

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Jack Straw today refused to deny that the Government's top lawyer warned the Iraq war could be illegal.

The Foreign Secretary became embroiled in heated exchanges after reports that the Attorney General listed six caveats to its lawfulness.

"I am not confirming what is alleged to be in a leaked document," he said on BBC Radio

4. Asked by Today show presenter John Humphrys if the public should conclude the leaks were accurate, Mr Straw replied: "No, they are not entitled to assume it is accurate."

With allegations flying that Tony Blair had "lied" or covered up the Attorney General's worries, Mr Straw clashed with Mr Humphrys, who accused him of putting up "smokescreens" to avoid questions. Mr Straw barked back: "I have dealt with this. Keep your hair on." Mr Straw admitted more than one Foreign Office lawyer believed the war may have been illegal. "Some lawyers did, some lawyers did not," he said.

Mr Blair came out fighting over his decision to go to war, as he too underwent relentless questioning about whether the US-led invasion was lawful. He made a plea to the public to ignore "conspiracy theories". "I cannot say I am sorry about it. I think I did the right thing," he said. "For goodness' sake, let's stop having this argument about whether it's my character or my integrity that's at issue here and understand the decision had to be taken."

Iraq dominated the election press conferences despite Labour's efforts to focus on the economy. The questions began after the emergence of advice written by the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, days before war began which confirmed he feared the war would be illegal without explicit UN backing.

"You can go on forever trying to conclude there was some conspiracy, some plot - there was not," said Mr Blair.

"There was a judgment. At some point people are going to have to accept sometimes in politics you get a difficult decision and have to take it." He admitted many Labour voters would never forgive him.

"I took the view it was best to remove him [Saddam Hussein].

I am going to have to live with that. I know there is a disagreement over Iraq. That disagreement we will never resolve."

Gordon Brown and John Prescott said the decision for war was taken by the whole Cabinet. Both said they were happy with the legal advice given, though Mr Prescott admitted he may not have read all of it.

Mr Blair denied he put pressure on the Attorney General to endorse the war. He insisted, despite the leak, the advice given was "very clear"; and criticised Charles Kennedy and Michael Howard for questioning his integrity.

Mr Howard refused to withdraw his accusation that Mr Blair "lied" over intelligence on Iraq. He echoed Mr Blair's claim, however, that the war was "the right thing to do".

Earlier, Mr Kennedy claimed Mr Blair could launch a new military attack on Iran if he stayed in power.

 

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