Comments on: Ask Blair early on http://www.iraqinquirydigest.org/?p=3050 Everything about the Chilcot Inquiry in one place Thu, 9 Sep 2010 11:04:58 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Chris Ames http://www.iraqinquirydigest.org/?p=3050&cpage=1#comment-352 Chris Ames Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:09:27 +0000 http://www.iraqinquirydigest.org/?p=3050#comment-352 Iain, I'm not saying that Blair should not be quizzed later on as well, and there is no reason why he should not be quizzed twice. He is not PM any more. Neither will he be represented. What I am saying is that the Inquiry will by now have seen a mass of evidence that suggests that Blair and others chose to pursue regime change in early 2002, or earlier, when intelligence on Iraq's wmd was said to be "poor". If Blair acknowledges this, it will save a lot of time. Iain, I’m not saying that Blair should not be quizzed later on as well, and there is no reason why he should not be quizzed twice. He is not PM any more. Neither will he be represented.
What I am saying is that the Inquiry will by now have seen a mass of evidence that suggests that Blair and others chose to pursue regime change in early 2002, or earlier, when intelligence on Iraq’s wmd was said to be “poor”. If Blair acknowledges this, it will save a lot of time.

]]> By: Iain Paton (former RAF) http://www.iraqinquirydigest.org/?p=3050&cpage=1#comment-345 Iain Paton (former RAF) Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:10:32 +0000 http://www.iraqinquirydigest.org/?p=3050#comment-345 I think Blair will need to be quizzed later on. There is probably only going to be one opportunity (as with Hutton) and there needs to be scrutiny of as much evidence as possible beforehand, rather than relying on where Hutton and Butler stopped. This means that Blair's counsel may be able to see which way the wind is blowing, but it is unavoidable (and it's a principle of justice that evidence should be made available to anyone 'charged with an offence'...except under Labour government) I think Blair will need to be quizzed later on.

There is probably only going to be one opportunity (as with Hutton) and there needs to be scrutiny of as much evidence as possible beforehand, rather than relying on where Hutton and Butler stopped. This means that Blair’s counsel may be able to see which way the wind is blowing, but it is unavoidable (and it’s a principle of justice that evidence should be made available to anyone ‘charged with an offence’…except under Labour government)

]]> By: Tertia http://www.iraqinquirydigest.org/?p=3050&cpage=1#comment-317 Tertia Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:28:35 +0000 http://www.iraqinquirydigest.org/?p=3050#comment-317 I agree with the opinion of asking Blair early on - before he had time to work on "B'liars" and get his spin doctors work overtime. Very good suggestion! I agree with the opinion of asking Blair early on – before he had time to work on “B’liars” and get his spin doctors work overtime.

Very good suggestion!

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