I never expected an apology or regrets from Tony Blair when he gave evidence at the Iraq Inquiry. What I have always found surprising is that public fury over the war, the sexed-up dossier of weapons of mass destruction and the tragic death of Dr David Kelly in July 2003 did not cost Labour the general election two years later.
Oh I did. The man would say anything to save his skin. Did you notice the proliferation of ‘Can I just say..’ ? Allowing him to answer the question he preferred rather than the one that was asked. They don’t call him ‘Teflon Tony’ for nothing.
I think the Chilcott enquiry has exposed it’s inability to adequately question TB.
I agree with you, Ellee but perhaps Labour won because the opposition was so weak? I don’t understand why TB was not impeached.
Cripes I didn’t write that well – I didn’t expect an apology or regrets, as you say, Ellee. But I expected TB to be impeached or something, anything, but he got away with it. They all did. David Kelly is still very dead. So sad. So many have died.
Pip, I wonder what would have happened if the protester did manage to perform a citizen’s arrest on Blair. I admired her guts:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Iraq-Inquiry-Protester-Restrained-Trying-To-Perform-Citizens-Arrest-On-Tony-Blair/Article/201001415537885?lpos=Politics_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15537885_Iraq_Inquiry%3A_Protester_Restrained_Trying_To_Perform_Citizens_Arrest_On_Tony_Blair_
Wow! Thanks for that link, Ellee. Good on her.
I am not sure if I agree with your post here. See you do make the best point, I don’t think you have actually given a large amount of thought to the opposite side of the argument. Perhaps I could do a guest post or a follow-up, just tell me.
Dudy, please feel free to post any views you have in the comment facility here.
I would agree with that. Poor Dr Kelly was an honourable man who was scapegoated, I think.
Been a bad week for Bliar (lovely posters); first the appearance at the Enquiry, and then his “ego” exposed in the excellent Mo Mowlam Channel 4 Drama.
Why could he not bring himself to close with a reference (even if he could not apologise) to the suffering of the families in the UK and Iraq as a result of the war?
I actually think his lack of apology is consistent with his statements in the enquiry. If he believed Iraq needed “sorting out” then who apologises for doing the right thing?
To do that would be a tacit admission that invading Iraq was wrong. In his mind, or for the purposes of the enquiry at the very least, the invasion was the right decision. On that basis, an apology would have looked inconsistent and tokenistic – and been criticised also.
Any apology invites the question – so why did you do it in the first place then?