Blair 'Ignored Legal Advice' Before Iraq War

The Government's top legal adviser during the Iraq war says he was "uncomfortable" with some statements Tony Blair made before the invasion, including one to MPs.

With the Iraq inquiry resuming today after a six-month hiatus - and Tony Blair due to appear before the hearing on Friday - former attorney general Lord Goldsmith has revealed that the ex-prime minister's suggestion that Britain could attack without further UN backing was not compatible with his legal advice.
A year ago, Lord Goldsmith gave evidence to the Chilcot Inquiry into the war against Saddam Hussein.
But the peer was asked to provide a further written statement, which has now been released.
On January 14, 2003, the attorney general advised Mr Blair that UN Security Council resolution 1441 was not enough on its own to justify the use of force against Iraq.

But the next day, the PM told the Commons there were "circumstances" in which a second resolution explicitly backing military action was not necessary.
And on February 6 he told the BBC's Newsnight programme he would consider action if a UN Security Council member "unreasonably" vetoed a further resolution.
Asked whether Mr Blair's words were compatible with the advice he received, the former attorney general wrote simply: "No."
Lord Goldsmith added: "I was uncomfortable about them (the prime minister's comments).