Blair 'overrode terror warnings'

[Barrett808]

Tony Blair led Britain to war against Iraq despite intelligence chiefs' warnings it could increase the risk of terrorists getting weapons of mass destruction, it has emerged.

The revelation comes in a report from the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) giving its verdict on how intelligence was handled in the run-up to the war.

The report says September's key dossier was not "sexed up", but it adds that ahead of the war Mr Blair was told the threat from al-Qaeda and allied terrorist groups would be made worse by invading Iraq.

The prime minister, who has repeatedly argued that disarming Iraq was needed to stop terrorists getting chemical or biological weapons, told the ISC he had acknowledged the dangers but argued inaction posed greater risks.

MPs and peers on the ISC criticised Geoff Hoon for initially failing to disclose fully how concerns were raised by Defence Intelligence Staff about parts of the Iraq dossier.

In a Commons debate, Mr Hoon said he regretted any "misunderstanding" and argued he had always intended to be open about disputes over the dossier's wording.

But the Conservatives continued to call for him to resign or be sacked.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3101364.stm