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Tony Blair says he was right to 'stand by America' in run-up to Iraq war – live Tony Blair says he was right to 'stand by America' in run-up to Iraq war – live
(35 minutes later)
9.54am BST
09:54
The Leadsom speech is now over. She is not taking questions.
I will post a summary shortly.
9.53am BST
09:53
Leadsom says the UK has a great deal to offer. It gave the world the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, the right to own property and the free market.
We are a remarkable people, and we have so much more to give, she says.
We will write another great chapter, she says - one of tolerance, prosperity and hope.
9.51am BST
09:51
Leadsom says she will work tirelessly to ensure investors the UK is open for business.
She says she expects to see continued growth. And she expects to see people getting pay rises.
Hers will be a realistic but an optimistic voice.
I believe we have a great future ahead of us, she says (again).
9.49am BST
09:49
Leadsom says she wants fair rules on immigration.
She says she wants to ensure farmers get the same level of subsidies, although they would be targeted in a different way.
And she wants to ensure people can still travel freely in the EU.
9.46am BST
09:46
Leadsom says she wants to spread prosperity.
We need to heed those citizens who think the country’s leaders are not worrying about them enough, she says.
She says people feel that big business bosses get salaries that bear no relation to their performance. She agrees, she says.
She says she wants to see better training and higher pay.
Let’s banish the pessimists, she says.
She quotes Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, saying the UK can handle change. The question is how we adjust, she says.
She says she wants to speak to the markets. No one need fear our decision to leave the EU, she says. We will leave it carefully.
Trade will be the top priority. She wants to continue tariff-free trade with the EU.
And she wants free trade agreements with fast-growing economies around the world.
Updated
at 9.50am BST
9.42am BST
09:42
Andrea Leadsom's economy speech
Turning to the Tory leadership contest, Andrea Leadsom is just starting what is being billed as “a major speech on the economy”.
She starts by saying Tory MPs are about to take an incredibly important decision. The next prime minister will face enormous challenges, she says.
She says she is an optimist. She thinks we can be the greatest nation on earth.
Updated
at 9.52am BST
9.39am BST
09:39
Sarah O’Connor, whose brother Sgt Bob O’Connor was killed in Iraq in 2005 and who yesterday described Tony Blair as “the world’s worst terrorist”, challenged Blair this morning to meet the relatives of service personnel killed in the conflict. Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, she said:
There is one final thing I would like to say to Mr Blair. He said yesterday that while he takes responsibility he can look the families in the eye. Well, looking down the lens of a camera is not looking us in the eye.
So, Mr Blair, challenge accepted. I’ve thrown down the gauntlet. Come and look me in the eye ... Come meet us. Do it in a TV studio. Do it where you choose. But do it.
9.22am BST9.22am BST
09:2209:22
Here is a Guardian video recalling some of the things Tony Blair has said about Iraq over the last 15 years.Here is a Guardian video recalling some of the things Tony Blair has said about Iraq over the last 15 years.
9.18am BST9.18am BST
09:1809:18
Tony Blair's Today interview - SummaryTony Blair's Today interview - Summary
In his Today interview Tony Blair repeated many of the points he made in his two-hour press conference yesterday afternoon. But here are the new, or newish, points that emerged.In his Today interview Tony Blair repeated many of the points he made in his two-hour press conference yesterday afternoon. But here are the new, or newish, points that emerged.
When you look at what we were presented with … It wasn’t that I wanted to believe it, I did believe it.When you look at what we were presented with … It wasn’t that I wanted to believe it, I did believe it.
I can regret the mistakes and I can regret many things about it but I genuinely believe, not just that we acted out of good motives, and I did what I did out of good faith, but I sincerely believe that we would be in a worse position if we hadn’t acted that way. I may be completely wrong about that.I can regret the mistakes and I can regret many things about it but I genuinely believe, not just that we acted out of good motives, and I did what I did out of good faith, but I sincerely believe that we would be in a worse position if we hadn’t acted that way. I may be completely wrong about that.
I understand that people still disagree but at least do me the respect - as I respect your position - of reading my argument. If all of these debates are conducted around character and good faith, if you are not careful you end up a casualty of a debate that is all about that type of invective, you are then unable to have a proper debate about the difficulty of dealing with this issue.I understand that people still disagree but at least do me the respect - as I respect your position - of reading my argument. If all of these debates are conducted around character and good faith, if you are not careful you end up a casualty of a debate that is all about that type of invective, you are then unable to have a proper debate about the difficulty of dealing with this issue.
8.58am BST8.58am BST
08:5808:58
Tony Blair's interview - verdict from the Twitter commentariatTony Blair's interview - verdict from the Twitter commentariat
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.
I will post a summary of Tony Blair’s interview shortly. But this is what some political journalists and commentators are saying about Blair’s performance.I will post a summary of Tony Blair’s interview shortly. But this is what some political journalists and commentators are saying about Blair’s performance.
From Channel 4 News’ Krishnan Guru-MurthyFrom Channel 4 News’ Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Blair will never give new ground on history. It's his view of the outcomes - that the world is better off - that should be challengedBlair will never give new ground on history. It's his view of the outcomes - that the world is better off - that should be challenged
From the Sun’s Tom Newton DunnFrom the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn
Blair on #r4today, "I don't recall a single request" for equipment turned down. Awful evasion. #Chilcot riddled with ignored general' pleas.Blair on #r4today, "I don't recall a single request" for equipment turned down. Awful evasion. #Chilcot riddled with ignored general' pleas.
From the BBC’s Norman SmithFrom the BBC’s Norman Smith
So..Blair defence: 1) World a better place without Saddam 2) Our best interests to be close to USSo..Blair defence: 1) World a better place without Saddam 2) Our best interests to be close to US
From the Observer’s Tracy McVeighFrom the Observer’s Tracy McVeigh
Blair throat - health condition caused by yelling at man trying to rewrite history on the radioBlair throat - health condition caused by yelling at man trying to rewrite history on the radio
From the BBC’s Mishal HusainFrom the BBC’s Mishal Husain
Blair says by 2010 (after the surge) Iraq was relatively peaceful (@BowenBBC says not a proper day of peace in 13 years) #r4todayBlair says by 2010 (after the surge) Iraq was relatively peaceful (@BowenBBC says not a proper day of peace in 13 years) #r4today
From the Guardian’s Tom ClarkFrom the Guardian’s Tom Clark
On "With you, whatever", striking Blair doesn't deploy the obvious defence. Cd hv been "with you" in moral support. Implies was committedOn "With you, whatever", striking Blair doesn't deploy the obvious defence. Cd hv been "with you" in moral support. Implies was committed
Or, to make another point about the “with you, whatever” memo, it is very similar to what Blair was said publicly to America in his speech to the Labour party conference in October 2001, after 9/11. Referring to the US, he said: “We were with you at the first, we will stay with you to the last.”Or, to make another point about the “with you, whatever” memo, it is very similar to what Blair was said publicly to America in his speech to the Labour party conference in October 2001, after 9/11. Referring to the US, he said: “We were with you at the first, we will stay with you to the last.”
From the Daily Mirror’s Jason BeattieFrom the Daily Mirror’s Jason Beattie
Blair spinning narrative he had to make "binary choice" on March 18 2003. Implies it was snap decision but he had months to consider thisBlair spinning narrative he had to make "binary choice" on March 18 2003. Implies it was snap decision but he had months to consider this
From the Mail on Sunday’s Dan HodgesFrom the Mail on Sunday’s Dan Hodges
This is madness. Blair says in the memo "So, I'm keen on a coalition, not necessarily militarily but politically".This is madness. Blair says in the memo "So, I'm keen on a coalition, not necessarily militarily but politically".
Blair now being accused of not second guessing the JIC on intelligence. The complete opposite of what he was previously being accused of.Blair now being accused of not second guessing the JIC on intelligence. The complete opposite of what he was previously being accused of.
From the Sun’s Steve HawkesFrom the Sun’s Steve Hawkes
So much of the questioning of Tony Blair is why we went to war, but lack of protection for troops and planning for afterwards is huge issueSo much of the questioning of Tony Blair is why we went to war, but lack of protection for troops and planning for afterwards is huge issue
From BuzzFeed’s Siraj DatooFrom BuzzFeed’s Siraj Datoo
"The events in Iraq did not turn out as we wanted," Blair says, slightly understating what happened in the country after the war."The events in Iraq did not turn out as we wanted," Blair says, slightly understating what happened in the country after the war.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.17am BSTat 9.17am BST
8.42am BST8.42am BST
08:4208:42
Does he ask god for forgiveness, Humphrys asks him. Does he pray? Does he ask God for forgiveness, Humphrys asks him. Does he pray?
Blair doesn’t answer this. He talks about his work in the wider Middle East.Blair doesn’t answer this. He talks about his work in the wider Middle East.
I don’t think that this struggle was in vain in the end … I know that this debate can’t just be conducted in terms of whether my decision in Iraq was taken on right or wrong grounds, in good or bad faith. We’ve got to have a really deep debate about how we deal with these issues.I don’t think that this struggle was in vain in the end … I know that this debate can’t just be conducted in terms of whether my decision in Iraq was taken on right or wrong grounds, in good or bad faith. We’ve got to have a really deep debate about how we deal with these issues.
That’s the end of the interview.That’s the end of the interview.
Updated
at 9.38am BST
8.40am BST8.40am BST
08:4008:40
Blair says he regrets that he did not interrogate the intelligence more thoroughly and accepts the mistakes in planning.Blair says he regrets that he did not interrogate the intelligence more thoroughly and accepts the mistakes in planning.
I think about it every day … It was the most difficult decision I ever took.I think about it every day … It was the most difficult decision I ever took.
I feel, until I actually say to people I wish we’d never joined the American coalition, I wish we’d never got rid of Saddam, people won’t believe my regret.I feel, until I actually say to people I wish we’d never joined the American coalition, I wish we’d never got rid of Saddam, people won’t believe my regret.
He can’t say that, he adds.He can’t say that, he adds.
He rejects the accusation that he is deluded, insisting “there is an argument there”, which people are free to disagree with.He rejects the accusation that he is deluded, insisting “there is an argument there”, which people are free to disagree with.
It’s not possible to have a proper debate about the difficulty of the issue, he says, because of the invective around it.It’s not possible to have a proper debate about the difficulty of the issue, he says, because of the invective around it.
8.35am BST8.35am BST
08:3508:35
Blair says he does not “recall a single occasion” when the government was asked for more equipment for troops and did not say yes.Blair says he does not “recall a single occasion” when the government was asked for more equipment for troops and did not say yes.
There is no resource limitation. if you tell us what you need, you will have the resources.There is no resource limitation. if you tell us what you need, you will have the resources.
He says the first part of the operations was “a brilliant military success”.He says the first part of the operations was “a brilliant military success”.
“Of course everything is my responsibility,” Blair says – but he insists he did not limit or delay the equipment available to the military.“Of course everything is my responsibility,” Blair says – but he insists he did not limit or delay the equipment available to the military.
There was never anything other than full support from the political side for requests from the military for equipment and resources, Blair adds.There was never anything other than full support from the political side for requests from the military for equipment and resources, Blair adds.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.36am BSTat 8.36am BST
8.33am BST8.33am BST
08:3308:33
Blair says he accepts responsibility for the aftermath of the invasion. But he believes military action had to be taken to depose Saddam.Blair says he accepts responsibility for the aftermath of the invasion. But he believes military action had to be taken to depose Saddam.
When you judge the wisdom of those decisions … it is important to ask ourselves what would have happened if we had taken the other decision.When you judge the wisdom of those decisions … it is important to ask ourselves what would have happened if we had taken the other decision.
He says before the intervention, he was advised on the possibility of humanitarian disaster.He says before the intervention, he was advised on the possibility of humanitarian disaster.
“I accept many of the criticisms on planning,” Blair says, though he insists there were “ad hoc committees” to think about the aftermath.“I accept many of the criticisms on planning,” Blair says, though he insists there were “ad hoc committees” to think about the aftermath.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.33am BSTat 8.33am BST
8.30am BST8.30am BST
08:3008:30
Ultimately, getting rid of Saddam Hussein was worth it, Blair says:Ultimately, getting rid of Saddam Hussein was worth it, Blair says:
Whatever the difficulties of process and planning, it was still the right thing to do.Whatever the difficulties of process and planning, it was still the right thing to do.
I agree the events in Iraq did not turn out as we wanted … But it is also true that in 2010 Iraq was essentially a peaceful country.I agree the events in Iraq did not turn out as we wanted … But it is also true that in 2010 Iraq was essentially a peaceful country.
But after how many deaths, Humphrys asks. Blair replies:But after how many deaths, Humphrys asks. Blair replies:
How many people were murdered before Saddam was deposed?How many people were murdered before Saddam was deposed?
If he’d been left in power, he’d have gone back to his programs again … I agree you can’t say for sure. You can’t say what would have happened once you’ve taken a particular course of action.If he’d been left in power, he’d have gone back to his programs again … I agree you can’t say for sure. You can’t say what would have happened once you’ve taken a particular course of action.
He says he believes if Saddam had been allowed to stay he would be behaving as Assad is in Syria.He says he believes if Saddam had been allowed to stay he would be behaving as Assad is in Syria.
8.26am BST8.26am BST
08:2608:26
Chilcot found that Blair did not consult with his cabinet, with ministers not given the information needed to challenge the decision to go to war, John Humphrys tells Blair.Chilcot found that Blair did not consult with his cabinet, with ministers not given the information needed to challenge the decision to go to war, John Humphrys tells Blair.
Blair says he did not “keep back” information from colleagues.Blair says he did not “keep back” information from colleagues.
There wasn’t really a doubt in most people’s minds … that Saddam had this capability.There wasn’t really a doubt in most people’s minds … that Saddam had this capability.
Blair said ultimately he had to decide:Blair said ultimately he had to decide:
Were we with America or not with America? … I genuinely thought it was the right thing to do.Were we with America or not with America? … I genuinely thought it was the right thing to do.
Blair says Lord Goldsmith did not need to give written legal advice because he was in cabinet meetings and could give his reasons orally and answer questions in person.Blair says Lord Goldsmith did not need to give written legal advice because he was in cabinet meetings and could give his reasons orally and answer questions in person.
I accept the process was far from satisfactory … It would have been better if he’d provided written evidence … [but] I don’t know what difference it would have made. He was there at the table.I accept the process was far from satisfactory … It would have been better if he’d provided written evidence … [but] I don’t know what difference it would have made. He was there at the table.
It would have made absolutely no difference at all if he’d provided written advice.It would have made absolutely no difference at all if he’d provided written advice.
Blair says that in fact cabinet members did not question Goldsmith, but they could have.Blair says that in fact cabinet members did not question Goldsmith, but they could have.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.44am BSTat 8.44am BST
8.21am BST8.21am BST
08:2108:21
On the flawed intelligence, Blair says he believed what he was shown:On the flawed intelligence, Blair says he believed what he was shown:
I relied on the assessments that were given to me … It would have been far better to have challenged them more clearly.I relied on the assessments that were given to me … It would have been far better to have challenged them more clearly.
When you look at what we were presented with … It wasn’t that I wanted to believe it, I did believe it.When you look at what we were presented with … It wasn’t that I wanted to believe it, I did believe it.
Anyone can see the documents online, he says.Anyone can see the documents online, he says.
8.20am BST8.20am BST
08:2008:20
Let’s suppose we hadn’t taken action, Blair says.Let’s suppose we hadn’t taken action, Blair says.
He acknowledges that the UN weapons inspector Hans Blix does not agree with the actions taken, but says others involved backed it. Saddam Hussein was not complying, Blair insists.He acknowledges that the UN weapons inspector Hans Blix does not agree with the actions taken, but says others involved backed it. Saddam Hussein was not complying, Blair insists.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.24am BSTat 8.24am BST
8.18am BST8.18am BST
08:1808:18
Blair says the UK was America’s key ally “and it’s true that I sought to make it so”.Blair says the UK was America’s key ally “and it’s true that I sought to make it so”.