Campaign to impeach PM over Iraq 'high crimes' launched

A campaign, which has the support of a number of MPs and academics, has been launched today aimed at impeaching the Prime Minister for "high crimes and misdemeanours in relation to the invasion of Iraq".

Publishing a report today containing "compelling evidence of deliberate repeated distortion, seriously misleading statements and culpable negligence on the part of the Prime Minister", the campaigners are attempting to invoke legislation not used for 198 years to arraign Mr Blair.

The group of MPs, which includes two parliamentary leaders, Tory frontbencher Boris Johnson and a Conservative shadow minister, will, over the next couple of weeks seek to gather further support from their parliamentary colleagues.

In a joint statement issued today, Plaid Cymru’s Parliamentary Leader Elfyn Llwyd and Adam Price urged "fellow parliamentarians to stand up for the people and for Parliament".

"Tony Blair has misled this country time and time again – we cannot let this conduct continue unchecked. It is our duty as Members of Parliament to hold the Prime Minister to account and restore the people’s faith in the democratic process," they said.

The impeachment campaigners have instructed leading counsel to draw up papers and procedures and a draft motion of impeachment for publication in September.

The group is represented by counsel from Matrix Chambers – the firm same in which Mr Blair's wife Cherie practices.

The two academics behind the report have accused Mr Blair of undermining parliamentary democracy.

Co-author Dan Plesch, Honourary Fellow of Birkbeck College, University of London, said: “It is unheard for a minister to knowingly deceive Parliament and the public and to refuse to resign. Beverley Hughes and Peter Mandelson were forced to resign for misleading Parliament. Can the Prime Minister honestly say that his actions were less serious than those of Ms Hughes and Mr Mandelson?”

Dr Glen Rangwala, a lecturer at Cambridge and co-author of Chapter I of the report, added: “The Prime Minister has destroyed the ability of the government to communicate effectively and authoritatively with Parliament and the country about the security risks we face. He has caused serious and long-term damage to the reputation of the intelligence services worldwide. And he has done this in the full knowledge that his actions have escalated the threat of both terrorist attacks and the ability of terrorists to acquire chemical and biological weapons.”

(gmcg)