SHAMBOLIC IRAQ PLANNING LED TO POST INVASION CHAOS

SHAMBOLIC IRAQ PLANNING LED TO POST INVASION CHAOS

AMBASSADOR: ‘BLAIR DAILY PHONE CALLS’

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson has repeated calls for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown to give evidence in public to the Iraq inquiry following an evidence session with Sir William Patey, who was British ambassador to Baghdad from 2005 to 2006.

Sir William told the Inquiry that he received regular phone calls and direct instructions from the Prime Minister who sought instant resolution to complex problems.

Commenting, Mr Robertson said:

“The Chilcot Inquiry previously heard about the shambolic planning which went on in the run up to the 2003 invasion. Now, we hear of its consequences.

“With ever evidence session, the actions of the Labour Government and Tony Blair are further discredited. Instead of hearing from his aides and advisors, we must get the truth from the man who took the UK into the biggest foreign policy disaster in modern times.

"And Gordon Brown must explain what he knew and when. As Chancellor, he wrote the cheques for the disastrous war in Iraq.

"This inquiry will be judged on the answers that it provides, and fundamental questions must be addressed."