Afternoon:
15°c
Lord Goldsmith's warning to Tony Blair that Iraq war would be illegal
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor30 Jun 2010
Former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith warned Tony Blair three months before the Iraq war that an invasion would be illegal, secret memos showed today.
The Cabinet Office published Lord Goldsmith's first draft of his legal advice and confirmed that he had serious doubts about the legality of the conflict without a fresh UN mandate.
The memo, released under the orders of Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, was written on January 14, 2003.
It stated: “My opinion is that resolution 1441 does not revive the authorisation to use of force... in the absence of a further decision of the Security Council.”
The memo also made clear that Lord Goldsmith found arguments in favour of a war without the UN resolution “unconvincing”.
Yet within days of giving his opinion, he flew to Washington for a meeting with President Bush's top advisers and changed his mind about the legal position.
John Bellinger, the former White House legal counsel, later told British colleagues: “We had trouble with your attorney. We got him there eventually”.
Lord Goldsmith told the Iraq Inquiry that this account was “nonsense”, but he was forced to admit that he harboured serious doubts about the legality of the war right up until the eve of the conflict.
He revised his opinion on March 10, 2003 to give the go-ahead demanded by the armed forces before they joined the US-led invasion.
Details of the draft legal advice given by Lord Goldsmith were previously kept secret and campaigners have urged its release.
The Cabinet Office said it had decided to de-classify it because of the “very exceptional” nature of the inquiry.
Reader views (4)
Tony Blair currently Hides in Israel
- jose, Madrid, 01/07/2010 07:34
Report abuse
Here's hoping the noose is closing around the necks of all who lied so that others died, whilst the liars went on to riches and titles.
I'm gradually beginning to believe and not just hope, that in this important case, "time is not on their side".
- Curious Observer., Harrow, 30/06/2010 16:36
Report abuse
Goodie - the more evidence that comes out should put Bliar (and his cronies) in prison following his arrest and conviction for war crimes.
- peter, Vienna, Austria, 30/06/2010 16:24
Report abuse
as this lad changed his tune rats and sinking ships spring to mind
- anon leicestershire, leicestershire, 30/06/2010 15:53
Report abuse
