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02/06/2003
Prime Minister completely sure of weapons ‘evidence’
Rejecting calls for an inquiry into the veracity of the government’s claims that Iraq held weapons of mass destruction, prime minister Tony Blair has said he stands "100%" behind the evidence presented.
At the G8 Summit in Evian, France, Mr Blair said: “The idea that we doctored intelligence reports in order to invent some notion of a 45-minute capability for delivering weapons of mass destruction is completely and totally false.”
The calls for an official inquiry were made after former cabinet minister Clare Short said that the prime minister had “duped” the public into going to war against Iraq.
Hovever, the prime minister, claiming that it was wrong for people to make allegations on the basis of “so-called anonymous sources”, said it was important that if people had evidence that it was produced.
Robin Cook, also a former cabinet minister, said the government should hold an inquiry as there had been a “monumental blunder” and that Britain had acted on the basis of a “mistake”.
Liberal Democrat spokesman for foreign affairs, Menzies Campbell, said that the only way to end the recrimination was to hold a special select committee inquiry in the Commons to examine the issue fully.
Conservatives are also said to be considering whether or not to call for a full Commons inquiry on the matter.
Shadow chancellor Michael Howard said there was evidence that Saddam Hussein had access to weapons of mass destruction, but there was a separate question, one of whether the government had told the truth in the run-up to the campaign.
The row centres on government claims that Iraqi forces had access to chemical weapons that could, it was claimed, be readied for use in 45 minutes.
Yesterday, Mr Cook called for UN weapons inspectors to be allowed to return to Iraq to investigate these claims, which were made prior to the start of the campaign.
(SP)
At the G8 Summit in Evian, France, Mr Blair said: “The idea that we doctored intelligence reports in order to invent some notion of a 45-minute capability for delivering weapons of mass destruction is completely and totally false.”
The calls for an official inquiry were made after former cabinet minister Clare Short said that the prime minister had “duped” the public into going to war against Iraq.
Hovever, the prime minister, claiming that it was wrong for people to make allegations on the basis of “so-called anonymous sources”, said it was important that if people had evidence that it was produced.
Robin Cook, also a former cabinet minister, said the government should hold an inquiry as there had been a “monumental blunder” and that Britain had acted on the basis of a “mistake”.
Liberal Democrat spokesman for foreign affairs, Menzies Campbell, said that the only way to end the recrimination was to hold a special select committee inquiry in the Commons to examine the issue fully.
Conservatives are also said to be considering whether or not to call for a full Commons inquiry on the matter.
Shadow chancellor Michael Howard said there was evidence that Saddam Hussein had access to weapons of mass destruction, but there was a separate question, one of whether the government had told the truth in the run-up to the campaign.
The row centres on government claims that Iraqi forces had access to chemical weapons that could, it was claimed, be readied for use in 45 minutes.
Yesterday, Mr Cook called for UN weapons inspectors to be allowed to return to Iraq to investigate these claims, which were made prior to the start of the campaign.
(SP)
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05 February 2004
Libya adopts Chemical Weapons Convention
Weapons inspectors have met with the Libyan government today as the Chemical Weapons Convention, which the country adopted last month, comes into force. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were in Tripoli today after Libya became the 159th State to join the convention.
Libya adopts Chemical Weapons Convention
Weapons inspectors have met with the Libyan government today as the Chemical Weapons Convention, which the country adopted last month, comes into force. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were in Tripoli today after Libya became the 159th State to join the convention.
18 July 2003
Blair and Bush stand behind decision to go to war
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush have stood firm in their decision to go to war, amid continued questions over the reliability of key intelligence claims about Saddam Hussein's military capabilities.
Blair and Bush stand behind decision to go to war
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush have stood firm in their decision to go to war, amid continued questions over the reliability of key intelligence claims about Saddam Hussein's military capabilities.
15 September 2005
Blair urges UN to ‘come of age’
Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged the United Nations to “come of age” and tackle the global problems of terrorism and poverty. Speaking at the 2005 United Nations Summit in New York, Mr Blair said that the UN had the chance to “make a difference” on terrorism, trade and the environment. The Prime Minister said: “The UN must come of age.
Blair urges UN to ‘come of age’
Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged the United Nations to “come of age” and tackle the global problems of terrorism and poverty. Speaking at the 2005 United Nations Summit in New York, Mr Blair said that the UN had the chance to “make a difference” on terrorism, trade and the environment. The Prime Minister said: “The UN must come of age.
03 June 2003
PM rejects calls for public inquiry into WMDs
The Prime Minister has rejected fresh calls today for an independent public inquiry into the nature of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Instead it is expected that Mr Blair will formally task the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to investigate the issue in the Commons tomorrow.
PM rejects calls for public inquiry into WMDs
The Prime Minister has rejected fresh calls today for an independent public inquiry into the nature of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Instead it is expected that Mr Blair will formally task the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to investigate the issue in the Commons tomorrow.
25 October 2004
UK must act now to defend itself against bio-terrorism, says BMA
If the development of biological and genetic weapons is not curtailed, it will be "virtually impossible" for Britain to defend itself from terrorist bio-weapons attack, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
UK must act now to defend itself against bio-terrorism, says BMA
If the development of biological and genetic weapons is not curtailed, it will be "virtually impossible" for Britain to defend itself from terrorist bio-weapons attack, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
