Campbell Quizzed On Iraq

Former Labour 'spin doctor' Alastair Campbell has told the Iraq Inquiry he stands over "every single word" of the 2002 dossier that led the UK into war.

The document claimed Sudan Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Campbell conceded the details in the dossier could have been "clearer" but he was satisfied it did not "misrepresent" the threat posed.

Tony Blair's ex-spokesman said his boss had hoped to gain the support of the United Nations prior to the invasion.

Mr Campbell said correspondence between the former Prime Minister and US President George W Bush during 2002 stressed the UK's commitment to stabilizing Iraq, and offering troops if necessary.

Mr Campbell is the most high profile figure to address the inquiry so far. He was the Downing Street director of communications between 1997 and 2003, having helped to compile the 2002 war dossier.

Mr Campbell dismissed earlier claims by former UK Ambassador to America Sir Christopher Meyer that Mr Blair had "tightened" his stance against Iraq following a meeting at Mr Bush's Crawford Ranch.

"I do not really accept this analysis that there was a fundamental shift of approach and policy by the prime minister," said Mr Campbell.

He insisted military action was Mr Blair's final resort.

"You seem to be wanting me to say that Tony Blair signed up to saying, regardless of the facts and WMD, we are going to get rid of this guy," he said. "It was not like this."

The ex-adviser said the alleged existence of weapons of mass destruction posed a "serious and credible threat".

"Tony Blair had a fundamental view about this, about there being a real threat" he said.

Mr Campbell denied No 10 attempted to "beef up" the Iraq dossier at any stage.

"I don't believe the dossier in any sense misrepresented the position."

He said he was "never in doubt" about the existence of chemical or biological weapons in the regions, admitting he found it "very difficult" to accept that none were found.

(PR/GK)