Blair 'Tightened' After Camp David Talks

Tony Blair's view of the Iraqi regime "tightened" after talks with George W Bush at Camp David in 2002, according to the former UK ambassador in America.

Discussions between Mr Blair and the US president were held in private, however, Sir Christopher Meyer said the prime minister's opinion on Saddam Hussein's leadership changed after the meeting.

He claimed it was the first time Mr Blair had discussed a possible regime change in Iraq.

Sir Christopher, giving evidence during the third day of the Iraq Inquiry, said diplomats were left "scrabbling" for evidence of weapons of mass destruction in the region.

The Inquiry is currently studying the events which led to the 2003 invasion by US and UK troops.

Sir Christopher claimed weapons inspectors were looking for a "smoking gun" in Iraq, against the backdrop of growing US military preparation.

A year before the invasion, top UK diplomatic figures already deemed it "pointless" to challenge the American administration's war aspirations, according to the ex-ambassador.

Sir Christopher claimed the path to war was laid during talks at Camp David in April 2002.

He said it was impossible to be "entirely clear what the degree of convergence was, if you like, signed in blood", given no officials were present for some of the talks.

Prior to Mr Bush's election, Mr Blair was a "true believer in the wickedness of Saddam Hussein", according to Sir Christopher, who left his Washington post in 2003.

He said a "sea change" of views toward Iraq occurred in the United State following the 9/11 attacks in New York.

The British government, he said, was forced to react.

Sir David Manning, Mr Blair's foreign policy's adviser, told Sir Christoper the US was "powerful enough" to challenge the Iraqi regime alone, but said it would be better to get international "friends and partners" on board.

The inquiry continues.

(PR/KMcA)