(Iraq War) Chilcot inquiry: Blair shut me out, says former legal chief Lord Goldsmith

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Tony Blair repeatedly shut out his government's chief legal adviser from crucial talks about the lawfulness of an invasion of Iraq, evidence released by the Chilcot inquiry tonight reveals.

Lord Goldsmith, then attorney general, records how he was "no longer actively consulted" after warning Blair face-to-face five months before Britain joined US-led military action that an invasion would be in breach of international law.

In a written statement to the inquiry, Goldsmith describes how he was kept out of the loop by some of the then prime minister's closest advisers in Downing Street and by Jack Straw, then foreign secretary, after meeting Blair on 22 October 2002. "My advice was not sought" about UN negotiating tactics, he writes.

He adds: "I was not being sufficiently involved in the meetings and discussions about the resolution and the policy behind it that were taking place at ministerial level." Goldsmith was kept out of the high-level discussions despite his office telling Sir David Manning, Blair's foreign policy adviser, on the day after the 22 October 2002 meeting that "it will be important for the attorney to be kept closely informed of developments".

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/17/blair-ignored-goldsmith-chilcot-inquiry

[davidthegnome]

1. Interesting name and title

Rather archaic - don't you think?

It's not really surprising that Goldsmith wasn't actively consulted once he made it clear he opposed an illegal invasion. Blair is as much a warmonger douche as Cheney.

[Solly Mack]

2. k/r

[go west young man]

3. I so wish to see Blair in the clink for his support of the

illegal invasion of Iraq. I know it won't happen but all the innocent dead deserve
justice. America doesn't have the balls to prosecute their criminals but Britain should
lead the way. Hoist Blair on his own petard. Please.

[No Elephants]

8. More like hoisting Blair on Bushco's petard.

Yes, Blair is responsible for his own role, and I'd like to see him prosecuted. But jeez, Blair was small potatoes in comparison.

Sadly, my guess is none of them will ever be charged. And, if anyone is, the U.S. will use its muscle, as it did with the Spanish judge. We are not about to let any of them suffer for our invasion of Iraq.

[grahamhgreen]

4. Failure to prosecute for war crimes is itself a crime.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. Not exactly

he was basically told what to do or he would end up like Dr. Kelly.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/mar/17/iraq2

[No Elephants]

9. Problem with that article--.several resolutions cited are based upon the lie that Iraq failed to

disarm (and therefore still had WMD).

Bush himself publicly used the term "regime change'--and war for that purpose is illegal.

In 2003, Saddam was no "threat to international peace and security." Bush and Blair were. And Saddam would not have been a "threat to international peace and security" before the Gulf War if Poppy Bush, via April Glaspie, hadn't let Saddam know we were okay with Iraq invading Kuwait.

(Anyone else find it "amusing" that actual war is an authorized response to a perceived or alleged threat to international peace? Egg. Chicken.)

[Hubert Flottz]

6. K&R

Lord Goldsmith just wasn't a team player.

[TatonkaJames]

7. When someone like Alan Dershowitz decides to ......

who said he could convict Bush and Cheney for war crimes take on this case which he said he'd win without a doubt but isn't because he'd probably be killed
trying, then we'll start to see the pieces fall into place and how this was nothing more than a lie like they made about the shooting incident they based the
Vietnam war on.

[No Elephants]

10. Fear of being killed is not the only reason Dershowitz is not doing anything.

How would a private person have authority to convict anyone of anything?


I agree Bushco and Blair are guilty, but Dershowitz's drama and bragging is not helping anything, except maybe Dershowitz.

[Turborama]

11. Former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith: Blair 'Ignored Legal Advice' Before Iraq War

Source: Sky News

9:16am UK, Tuesday January 18, 2011
Adam Arnold, Sky News Online -

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 MP

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."

Read more: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Ex-Attorney-General-Lord-Goldsmith-Uncomfortable-With-Some-Tony-Blair-Statements-Before-Iraq-War/Article/201101315897466?lpos=UK_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15897466_Ex-Attorney_General

[DrDan]

12. Blair's problem was that he didn't choose the right legal advisor

I am sure he could have found one to support his right-to-invade principle (ala the U.S.)

[Hubert Flottz]

13. I hope the gubmint saved that rope they used on Saddam.

New rope would increase the deficit.