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26/01/2010
Straw Warned Over Iraq
Former foreign secretary Jack Straw was warned on the international illegality of the Iraq invasion, an inquiry into the war was told today.
Mr Straw responded to his chief legal adviser by claiming "international law was pretty vague" and he accused Sir Michael Wood of being "dogmatic" when the top lawyer said the invasion of Iraq without a UN resolution would "amount to the crime of aggression".
Mr Straw was insistent that then Attorney General Lord Goldsmith would have the final say, according to Sir Michael.
Lord Goldsmith later told Tony Blair that an invasion could legally go ahead without a second UN resolution.
The former Attorney General will put forward his evidence to the inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, tomorrow.
A Foreign Office lawyer, who resigned in protest over the Iraq war, later told the inquiry the legal case put forward prior to the invasion was "lamentable".
Elizabeth Wilmshurst, who worked under Sir Michael, said she believed the war was unlawful without UN backing.
Ms Wilmshurst said Mr Blair's decision to consult Lord Goldsmith just days before troops were deployed was "extraordinary".
Asked about the foreign secretary's determination, she said Mr Straw was "not an international lawyer".
Tory MP Malcolm Rifkind criticised Mr Straw for what he described as "second-guessing" and showing a "disregard" for legal advice.
"I am deeply disturbed by the implications of what we have heard," he told the BBC.
(PR/GK)
Mr Straw responded to his chief legal adviser by claiming "international law was pretty vague" and he accused Sir Michael Wood of being "dogmatic" when the top lawyer said the invasion of Iraq without a UN resolution would "amount to the crime of aggression".
Mr Straw was insistent that then Attorney General Lord Goldsmith would have the final say, according to Sir Michael.
Lord Goldsmith later told Tony Blair that an invasion could legally go ahead without a second UN resolution.
The former Attorney General will put forward his evidence to the inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, tomorrow.
A Foreign Office lawyer, who resigned in protest over the Iraq war, later told the inquiry the legal case put forward prior to the invasion was "lamentable".
Elizabeth Wilmshurst, who worked under Sir Michael, said she believed the war was unlawful without UN backing.
Ms Wilmshurst said Mr Blair's decision to consult Lord Goldsmith just days before troops were deployed was "extraordinary".
Asked about the foreign secretary's determination, she said Mr Straw was "not an international lawyer".
Tory MP Malcolm Rifkind criticised Mr Straw for what he described as "second-guessing" and showing a "disregard" for legal advice.
"I am deeply disturbed by the implications of what we have heard," he told the BBC.
(PR/GK)
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British troops have begun their official withdraw from Iraq today as Basra was formally handed to the US army. In a handover ceremony, attended by the head of Britain's armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and US General Ray Odierno, a British military pennant was symbolically raised and lowered over the southern Iraq town.
Britain Hands Basra Over To US Troops
British troops have begun their official withdraw from Iraq today as Basra was formally handed to the US army. In a handover ceremony, attended by the head of Britain's armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and US General Ray Odierno, a British military pennant was symbolically raised and lowered over the southern Iraq town.
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