Tony Blair’s communications chief testifies to Iraq Inquiry about war preparations, dossier
By APTuesday, January 12, 2010
Tony Blair’s communications chief testifies
LONDON — Former Prime Minister Tony’s Blair’s communications chief denied Tuesday that a special dossier was tailored to exaggerate Saddam Hussein’s military strength, testifying before a British inquiry that no one ordered him to make the case for the 2003 war.
Alastair Campbell is facing questions about whether he “sexed up” the infamous intelligence dossier that outlined Britain’s rationale for war with Iraq — making Saddam Hussein’s weapons arsenal seem more dangerous than it was.
Campbell, who was Blair’s chief communications strategist from Blair’s start in 1997 until August 2003, said he was present at many key meetings, but did not shape the policy that dictated the outcome.
“At no point did anyone from (prime minister) or anyone on down say to the intelligence services, look, you have to tailor this case,” he told the panel.
He said Britain’s intelligence chiefs were content with the dossier and that the facts were not overstated.
Campbell was among the first major figures from Blair’s inner circle to give his version of events to the Iraq Inquiry, the most wide-ranging investigation into the war thus far in Britain.
The committee, chaired by John Chilcot, is expected to focus on precisely when Blair and President George W. Bush made the firm decision to invade Iraq.
The Iraq Inquiry started hearing testimony in late November. Critics of the invasion had long demanded an investigation into whether the war, which has been extremely unpopular in Britain, was illegal. Many were disappointed when it was announced that the inquiry had no power to apportion blame or establish criminal or civil liability.
Blair is expected to testify in late January or early February. He has said many times since leaving office more than two years ago that he is confident his decisions were correct. Until his appearance, observers expect Campbell to provide the most insight into the preparation of the dossier.
