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Tony Blair: Britain is obsessed with Iraq conspiracy theories
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor8 Feb 2010
Tony Blair has told American TV viewers that Britain is fixated by "conspiracy" theories over the Iraq war.
The former prime minister lashed out at critics for questioning his integrity over the 2003 invasion.
Mr Blair spoke out as former foreign secretary Jack Straw reappeared before the Iraq inquiry today to defend his own role over the legal advice on the conflict.
Former Downing Street communications chief Alastair Campbell yesterday gave an emotional interview defending MrBlair from the charge of lying to Parliament over intelligence on Saddam Hussein's alleged WMD programmes.
Appearing on US Fox News's Huckabee show, Mr Blair spoke for the first time publicly since he gave evidence to Sir John Chilcot last month. The former premier said: "There's always got to be a scandal as to why you hold your view. There's got to be some conspiracy behind it or some great deceit that's gone on. People just find it hard to understand that it's possible for people to hold different points of view and hold them reasonably."
Mr Straw today rejected claims that he had bullied the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith into changing his advice or had told him not to enter into a serious discussion with the Cabinet.
The inquiry was quizzing Mr Straw on letters he wrote to Lord Goldsmith to challenge his legal opinion on the need for a second UN resolution authorising war.
Reader views (24)
His comment goes to show the contempt he has for the British people.
- Paul, Essex, England, 10/02/2010 12:57
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That's one of the funniest headlines I have seen for years. How can he make such a statement? Easy, he's the most experienced Iraq conspiracy theorist on the planet.
- David Griffiths, Llanfyllin, Wales, 09/02/2010 15:41
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Britain is obsessed with Iraq conspiracy theories?
No, Britain wants to know the truth, Blair's lies started to unravel some years ago which is why he legged it as PM, leaving clueless Gordo to pick up the pieces, it's like watching a Capuchin trying to do a jigsaw puzzle.
- Bob, Cheam, 09/02/2010 15:04
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Just remember that one party voted for the Iraq war almost to a man (and woman). It wasn't the Labour Party.
- Tonyb, Melbourne, Australia, 09/02/2010 09:28
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If there was no conspiracy, how come we have to wait 70 years for Dr Kelly's autopsy report?
- Albert Munn, Eltham, London , UK, 09/02/2010 08:30
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The legality of the Iraq war is contentious with lawyers and other experts agreeing to disagree. ACCEPT that Blair may have been right which happens to be my opinion. You are entitled to disagree, but that does not make you unquestionably right.
However the legality of Hussein's deliberate failure to comply with UN Resolution 1441 is undisputed.
The question then is what to have done about his continued non-compliance with UN Resolution 1441 which is:-
A Do as Chamberlain did (NOTHING) and declare "peace in our time"
OR
B Do as Churchill and act.
If Blair had adopted the Chamberlain way who can say where we would be today:-
Would Hussein have murdered more civilians, maybe invaded a country or two or aided and furthered the terrorist cause? I have no doubt that France (why did Britain and USA bother to help France in their hour of need circa 1939?) and that paragon of virtue Russia would have continued to thwart any real attempt to rid the world of this vermin by using their Security Council veto.
Now Blair and I happen to be of the ilk that offers no quarter to ruthless despots. How much pain and what aftermath my beloved South Africa because the gutless West watched on as the Nationalist government acted with impunity? How long for 50 years of apartheid scarring to heal?
...oh what quick relief to have had Verwoerd forcibly removed.
Edmund Burke is right "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".
- Mike, Durban South Africa, 08/02/2010 20:55
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Tony Blair yes many UK citizens are obsessed with Iraq War Criminals like yourself. You are a disgrace to this country and you should face justice. No doubt Cherie will help you avoid justice as she helps so many wrongdoers . Your place in history is confirmed. You joined your partner in war George Bush as his puppy dog. You destabilised the middle east and the world.
We are all unsafe for years to come whilst you enjoy protection at our expense.
You are safe to enjoy your spolils of war.
At the Iraq Inquiry you clearly squirmed but like many others I'm obsessed by one goal.
When will you face justice Tony Blair War Criminal?
- Patrick Mc Crossan, Birmingham, 08/02/2010 18:13
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I wonder when Blair's book is coming out. I bet that'll be a work of outlandish fiction.
- Maggie, London, UK, 08/02/2010 17:55
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Of course the fact that he has a track record of lying throughout his time in office has nothing to do with it!!
He lied to us about public spending, announcing, re-announcing and massaging figures.
He lied to us about the widening of the EU and a referendum.
He lied to us about the numbers of immigrants on a massive scale.
He lied to us about city bankers paying 40% tax.
And then he wonders why noone believes a word he says, especially when all the main evidence is demonstrated to be a huge pack of fiction.
If you like the USA so much Mr Blair, please make our day - move there and don't come back!! Let the Americans pay for your vast security detail.
- Mikey, Guildford, 08/02/2010 17:41
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Are we forgetting the Prime Minister who got us into an unneccesary conflict and then packed the job in when the pressure was put on him,to earn millions slinging abuse from America,one big question I would like to know how much he claimed in expenses,when he was buying all the property!!!!
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 08/02/2010 16:04
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Given that millions of us disputed the validity of the war BEFORE we went to war - might suggest this is not a obsession with 'conspiracy theories' but a demand to know the truth - particularly as the main protagonists seem to say different things to different Inquiries and can't quite seem to get their stories straight.
They were wrong - they won't admit they were wrong. Scientists and soldiers have died as a result of their mistakes.
That Blair is talking to Fox TV shows that only the right wingers/warmongers are willing to listen to him and give him a 'sympathetic' hearing!! What with Blair on Fox and Campbell 'getting upset' on the Andrew Marr show - clearly they are trying to show us how 'human' they are and what 'nice guys' - do they really think that we are that stupid.
- Andy, london, 08/02/2010 16:02
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Had it not been for Iraq, Tony Blair would have been remembered for the peace process that finally brought an end to violence in Northern Ireland. Not a bad legacy. Now, alas, it is in danger of being completely overshadowed by the Iraq tragedy and forgotten.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 08/02/2010 15:43
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Blair going on Fox News is probably the only media that would listen to his rubbish. Obama refuses to go on that channel due to its drivel that it spouts every day. Thank god for the BBC I say.
- Nick, Waltham Abbey, 08/02/2010 15:35
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smoke and fire spring to mind
- M.Obrien, london.uk, 08/02/2010 15:23
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No, we're just obsessed with the truth. Blair has brought this country and its citizens into disrepute and we'll continue to make him suffer for it. There are parts of the world we can no longer travel to in safety because of his criminal activities and its all the more galling that he is still able to travel the world thanks to a personal protection team paid for at great cost by British taxpayers.
- Maggie, Lon don, UK, 08/02/2010 15:19
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Saw the interview TB did not look very well at all. Trouble with Tony he now believes his own lies. Deluded or what. But what`s it all about with NuLabour? What with Alistair Campbell haming it up on the Andrew Marr Show yesterday - that was really pathetic acting. The Gordon and Sarah show with Pieres Morgan. Harriet taking elocution lessons to hide her posh voice. Ed Balls and his stammer. The Prescotts talking about John`s affair and his wife's child she had adopted. What next? The mind boggles.
- Brian G, Norfolk Gorleston, 08/02/2010 15:05
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I notice he didn't 'lash out' in the UK, but scuttled off to America to winge.
Obviously no moral fibre to face the music here.
Very pleased to see he will be helping mcBroon in fortcoming election. That should cement his fate nicely!
- John Bull, London, 08/02/2010 14:47
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He is of course absolutely right. One only has to look at the media coverage of the Iraq Enquiry when it reports parts of testimony to support the particular bias of the newspaper.
A reminder that we taxpayers are footing the bill for this enquiry when we have already had numerous others. Of course each enquiry will come out with lessons learned. Already we can see that the current enquiry will no doubt discuss troops being engaged with two separate conflicts and overstretched. Also equipment not being in the right place at the right time. Perhaps also that intelligence reports should be placed before the public in full rather than others presenting it in another form etc etc...
I am not surprised that many newspapers are biased also towards our former PM? He has made enemies during his 10 years in DowningStreet. However, a reminder that we are not all Tony Blair haters - many of us still admire him and do not mind that he is so popular on the world stage that his earnings compare with Bill Clinton. Many o us did not mind Margaret Thatcher also attracting huge fees too on the same public speaking circuit. Many of us also supported the war and do not try and wriggle because of errors made by the US Administration in the aftermath planning. the UK after all was a subservient partner in the war - we are not s superpower. Tony Blair made a decision that we as citizens elected him to make. He made it in good faith and for the commentator above - I am quite sane!!
- Jane, London, 08/02/2010 14:33
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We are not obscessed with conspiracy theories Blair - we are merely demanding the truth - which you and Campbell have hidden and we will doggedly continue to try and extract it from you.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK, 08/02/2010 14:02
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Talok about call the kettle black from the very man who lied through his teeth to take us into a completel;y ilegal war alongside his chum Bush !
- Michael Fincham, London, 08/02/2010 13:45
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Quite rightly so that Britain is obsessed with conspiracy theories etc. Blair lied, fudged a dossier and led every one to believe the country was in imminent danger of being attacked by Iraq. By his (Blair's)actions we went in to an uneccessary costly (in lives and money)war. This brought us an increase in home grown fundamentalist terrorism 2 horrendous attacks on London. Bet your bottom dollar we are obsessed
- Strongbow Sullivan, Paris, France, 08/02/2010 13:41
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So come clean for a change and let the truth be told.
- Lee, Hayes middlesex, 08/02/2010 13:39
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Getting desperate, bliar? Feeling the heat? Good. Squirm some more. When are you going to give your money away to the victims of your illegal war in Iraq???
No, bliar, we are not obsessed with conspiracy theories, we are 'obsessed' with the TRUTH, since you haven't provided it, you and those other LIARS in the USA regarding WMDs. You admitted you wanted regime change, as did Wolfowitz, as did the PNAC (Project for the New American Century) letters also stated.
As it is, it is because of YOUR lies that you don't have any credibility left, no sane person believes what you say.
- Ralph, London, 08/02/2010 13:35
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Yeah,and?
- Steve, Brentford, 08/02/2010 09:46
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