Report on the Iraq War will finally be published TODAY and Sir John Chilcot won’t ‘shy away’ from exposing blunders
It has taken a year longer to compile than Britain’s entire 2003-2009 occupation of southern Iraq
TONY Blair is expected to blame “wrong” intelligence for his decision to take Britain to war in Iraq.
The former PM is among politicians and Top Brass set to be roasted by Sir John Chilcot today as the results of his long-awaited inquiry into the war are published.
Mr Blair will argue he received incorrect information about Weapons of Mass Destruction held by Saddam Hussein.
Sources said he will defend his role in helping to topple the dictator but may apologise for the fact “the intelligence on which we based our decisions turned out to be wrong”.
Families of the 179 Brit troops killed during the US-led military campaign in 2003 are planning civil action that could reportedly bankrupt Mr Blair if the inquiry finds his actions were wrong.
Gen Sir Michael Rose, an ex-director of Special Forces, said: “He has a personal responsibility to properly test the intelligence and information he’s using to justify going to war.”
Whitehall mandarin Sir John has insisted his report, which has taken seven years, “wouldn’t shy away” from exposing serious blunders. He described the 2.6million-word report, which runs to 13 volumes, as a reliable account of all that happened, but conceded it took “a lot longer than expected”.
Mr Blair ordered the invasion when he was Labour PM and has since admitted to errors. Aides refused to say if he will offer a full apology. Letters between him and then-US president George W Bush will be revealed.
Last night PM David Cameron was poring over an advance copy. No10 said the inquiry’s aim was to “look at what lessons could be learnt”.
Six questions Chilcot report MUST answer
Q: Was the war launched on a lie?
Sir John is unlikely to level this explosive charge, but we know there were no weapons of mass destruction on 45 minutes’stand-by.
Q: Who was to blame?
Downing St pressed intelligence agencies to remove all doubt about WMD from the “dodgy dossier”. Blair, ex-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and ex-MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove are expected to be criticised.
Q: Was the war legal?
Deciding upon its legality was not within the inquiry’s remit but MPs could have Blair impeached if he is heavily criticised by Chilcot.
Q: Were we prepared for the invasion and aftermath?
Blair is accused of failing to properly equip troops, and Britain stands accused of failing to push for post-war planning.
Q: Was 9/11 a justification for war?
Despite Blair referring to “the war on terror”, US inquiries ruled there was no link to the World Trade Center attacks.
Q: Did the Iraq war lead to IS?
The report’s remit was established before Islamic State became a terrorist force. But observers believe the post-war chaos in Iraq directly led to IS gaining support.