This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8453563.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 23 Version 24
LIVE: Campbell faces Iraq inquiry LIVE: Campbell faces Iraq inquiry
(20 minutes later)
By Emma Griffiths 1400 KEY POINTS SO FAR: Mr Campbell has denied distorting evidence in the September 2002 dossier on Iraq's WMD and denied that Tony Blair changed his mind to back regime change at a summit with President Bush in Crawford in April 2002. He also talked about "quite a lot of notes" written by Tony Blair to George Bush in the build-up to war - which he described as "very frank". He said Mr Blair had told the president if the diplomatic route failed and military action had to be taken "Britain will be there". By Emma Griffiths 1422 Baroness Prashar asks if any thought was given to constitutional proprieties - given that intelligence should be kept separate from decision making. Yes it was, says Mr Campbell - but the judgement was reached that it was right to release it.
1419 Mr Campbell adds Mr Blair did see Iraq as "a growing threat". The containment policy wasn't working as effectively as it had been, 11 September 2001 had changed the context and there was growing intelligence crossing his desk which made him concerned. Sir Roderic says that does not mean the intelligence found there was a "growing threat". Ultimately the PM has to make judgements about what to say, says Mr Campbell.
1415 Sir Roderic asks if it was accurate to represent the threat from Iraq at the time as "growing". Mr Campbell says Mr Blair had grown more and more concerned about the threat from Saddam, based on intelligence presented to him.
1414 "Current, serious and credible threat" is a phrase often used to describe the threat from Iraq, says Sir Roderic - but at the time Mr Blair said Iraq's WMD programme was "active, detailed and growing". Where did the phrase "growing" come from, asks Sir Roderic, as he can't find it in intelligence documents. Mr Campbell says the documents refer to a "step change" in the programme and that constituted growing.
1412 Mr Campbell says more could have been done to put over the case about what caveats there were but ultimately, in terms of what the public took out of it, it would not have made much difference.
1409 Sir Roderic recounts a previous inquiry appearance in which the panel was told intelligence was "sporadic and patchy" in 2002. The 9 September assessment said intelligence was "limited" - yet two weeks later the PM told Parliament that the assessed intelligence had established information "beyond doubt". Mr Campbell says he can only speak from his own position - that was the way Mr Blair put it to the public. Mr Campbell said he stood by the phrase "beyond doubt".
1406 Sir Roderic is back onto the "beyond doubt" reference in the September dossier - did the intelligence services ever use that phrase? Mr Campbell repeats that it was the prime minister's phrase. Sir Roderic asks what was the basis for that "definitive" phrase - Mr Campbell says it based on the intelligence available to the PM. Sir Roderic asks if doubts and caveats were not expressed in every intelligence briefing on Iraq? Mr Campbell says Mr Blair made his own caveats in his statements to the Commons. Sir Roderic says it is "puzzling".
1400 KEY POINTS SO FAR: Mr Campbell has denied distorting evidence in the September 2002 dossier on Iraq's WMD and denied that Tony Blair changed his mind to back regime change at a summit with President Bush in Crawford in April 2002. He also talked about "quite a lot of notes" written by Tony Blair to George Bush in the build-up to war - which he described as "very frank". He said Mr Blair had told the president if the diplomatic route failed and military action had to be taken "Britain will be there".
1351 Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey says of Mr Campbell's evidence: "This shows Gordon Brown's hands-on involvement in the decision to invade Iraq. It's clear that Brown not only wrote the cheques but also played an important part in making the decision to go to war."1351 Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey says of Mr Campbell's evidence: "This shows Gordon Brown's hands-on involvement in the decision to invade Iraq. It's clear that Brown not only wrote the cheques but also played an important part in making the decision to go to war."
1342 From BBC Political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg: The exchanges this morning were quite sedate but that doesn't mean mean they weren't quite revealing.1342 From BBC Political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg: The exchanges this morning were quite sedate but that doesn't mean mean they weren't quite revealing.
1335 Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer tells BBC Radio 4's World at One that Mr Campbell's testimony shows Iraqi "disarmament was the aim" of the Blair-Bush discussions of 2002. He says it was "striking" that the inquiry panel, which has access to classified documents, was ignoring some of the "more outlandish ideas" put forward by some "conspiracists".1335 Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer tells BBC Radio 4's World at One that Mr Campbell's testimony shows Iraqi "disarmament was the aim" of the Blair-Bush discussions of 2002. He says it was "striking" that the inquiry panel, which has access to classified documents, was ignoring some of the "more outlandish ideas" put forward by some "conspiracists".
benbutterworth tweets: Campbell didn't routinely see intelligence reports and didn't "go out looking for them". Why did he see them at all?benbutterworth tweets: Campbell didn't routinely see intelligence reports and didn't "go out looking for them". Why did he see them at all?
smurray38 tweets: Alastair Campbell: "I may have a rep. for worrying and obsessing about headlines... but the truth is I don't." Knowing laugh from gallery.smurray38 tweets: Alastair Campbell: "I may have a rep. for worrying and obsessing about headlines... but the truth is I don't." Knowing laugh from gallery.
1315 From BBC deputy political editor James Landale: Downing Street would not have wanted to hear Mr Campbell say that Gordon Brown was "closely involved" in discussions with Tony Blair ahead of the war in Iraq.1315 From BBC deputy political editor James Landale: Downing Street would not have wanted to hear Mr Campbell say that Gordon Brown was "closely involved" in discussions with Tony Blair ahead of the war in Iraq.
Many people would want the questions to be more aggressive, but this is not Newsnight and the panel don't have an editor or producer chattering in their ears to ask this or that. Campbell is a polished performer and comes across as being very believable. He should go into politics, he'd go a long way!Simon, ManchesterMany people would want the questions to be more aggressive, but this is not Newsnight and the panel don't have an editor or producer chattering in their ears to ask this or that. Campbell is a polished performer and comes across as being very believable. He should go into politics, he'd go a long way!Simon, Manchester
CotswoldHarry tweets: Campbell was quite open until WMDs were mentioned, he then folded his arms across his chest. Putting up a barrier?CotswoldHarry tweets: Campbell was quite open until WMDs were mentioned, he then folded his arms across his chest. Putting up a barrier?
1300 From BBC Political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg: Mr Campbell had been "absolutely resolute" in his assertion that the final decision over what was published in the dossier - including the 45 minute claim - had been up to intelligence chief Sir John Scarlett. "He stuck to his guns - it was not a decision that was made by him or anyone else in Downing Street," she told the BBC News Channel.1300 From BBC Political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg: Mr Campbell had been "absolutely resolute" in his assertion that the final decision over what was published in the dossier - including the 45 minute claim - had been up to intelligence chief Sir John Scarlett. "He stuck to his guns - it was not a decision that was made by him or anyone else in Downing Street," she told the BBC News Channel.
1255 Chairman Sir John Chilcot is calling the lunch break - there will be further questions on the dossier and the later February 2003 paper - the so-called "dodgy dossier".1255 Chairman Sir John Chilcot is calling the lunch break - there will be further questions on the dossier and the later February 2003 paper - the so-called "dodgy dossier".
1254 Sir Lawrence says the reason the dossier had been criticised was because a lot of the material in the dossier, turned out to be not true - Mr Campbell said that was a debate about the intelligence.1254 Sir Lawrence says the reason the dossier had been criticised was because a lot of the material in the dossier, turned out to be not true - Mr Campbell said that was a debate about the intelligence.
1253 Mr Campbell says the dossier was not "looked at negatively at the time" and was only looked at negatively now by a media "that refuses to accept" Lord Hutton's conclusion in a previous Iraq inquiry. "You say the dossier is regarded negatively, actually a lot of people do not regard it negatively," Mr Campbell insists.1253 Mr Campbell says the dossier was not "looked at negatively at the time" and was only looked at negatively now by a media "that refuses to accept" Lord Hutton's conclusion in a previous Iraq inquiry. "You say the dossier is regarded negatively, actually a lot of people do not regard it negatively," Mr Campbell insists.
1249 Sir Lawrence asks if, when he saw the Sun headline "45 minutes from doom", or a similar one in the Evening Standard - he was surprised. Mr Campbell said he was not surprised by anything in the British newspapers. "I defend every single word of the dossier, I defend every single part of the process," he says.1249 Sir Lawrence asks if, when he saw the Sun headline "45 minutes from doom", or a similar one in the Evening Standard - he was surprised. Mr Campbell said he was not surprised by anything in the British newspapers. "I defend every single word of the dossier, I defend every single part of the process," he says.
I don't think it needs Paxman to grill people, it could just be that there simply isn't anything more to tell. I have to say I think this whole inquiry is a gross waste of taxpayers time and more importantly money.Peter, LondonI don't think it needs Paxman to grill people, it could just be that there simply isn't anything more to tell. I have to say I think this whole inquiry is a gross waste of taxpayers time and more importantly money.Peter, London
1248 Sir Lawrence says the 45-minute claim did attract a lot of attention at the time. Mr Campbell says it attracted some attention but was not the main newsline on the day. "We did not plan our communications around that particular point," he says. He says it was not true that he was obsessed with headlines.1248 Sir Lawrence says the 45-minute claim did attract a lot of attention at the time. Mr Campbell says it attracted some attention but was not the main newsline on the day. "We did not plan our communications around that particular point," he says. He says it was not true that he was obsessed with headlines.
1246 Mr Campbell again says that the 45-minute claim has been "gone over exhaustively" because of the controversy that emerged later - the BBC row.1246 Mr Campbell again says that the 45-minute claim has been "gone over exhaustively" because of the controversy that emerged later - the BBC row.
1245 Sir Lawrence there was a discrepancy between drafts of the texts - an early draft said Iraq "may be able to deploy" the weapons - the foreword was more solid. Mr Campbell said he had simply suggested the two should be consistent.1245 Sir Lawrence there was a discrepancy between drafts of the texts - an early draft said Iraq "may be able to deploy" the weapons - the foreword was more solid. Mr Campbell said he had simply suggested the two should be consistent.
1244 Key points so far: Tony Blair's ex-communications chief Alastair Campbell says Blair did not change his mind to back regime change at a summit with President Bush in Crawford in April 2002. He has also denied distorting evidence in the infamous September 2002 dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The session was due to end at 1pm, but is to reconvene for an extra session during the afternoon.1244 Key points so far: Tony Blair's ex-communications chief Alastair Campbell says Blair did not change his mind to back regime change at a summit with President Bush in Crawford in April 2002. He has also denied distorting evidence in the infamous September 2002 dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The session was due to end at 1pm, but is to reconvene for an extra session during the afternoon.
1242 Mr Campbell is questioned about the 45-minute claim in the dossier - which referred to "battlefield systems". Sir Lawrence says there is "ambiguity" in the dossier about the claim: "When you are using the word munitions, that conveys battlefield use". Was that distinction understood? Mr Campbell says the 45-minute claim within the dossier discussions was "not that big a deal" at the time. He points out that the intelligence referred to a timescale of "20 to 45 minutes" and if they had wanted to "sex up" the dossier they would have erred on the side of the 20-minute claim. He says they were never saying Saddam Hussein had weapons that could hit Cyprus in 45 minutes but added it "could have been clearer" - with the benefit of hindsight.1242 Mr Campbell is questioned about the 45-minute claim in the dossier - which referred to "battlefield systems". Sir Lawrence says there is "ambiguity" in the dossier about the claim: "When you are using the word munitions, that conveys battlefield use". Was that distinction understood? Mr Campbell says the 45-minute claim within the dossier discussions was "not that big a deal" at the time. He points out that the intelligence referred to a timescale of "20 to 45 minutes" and if they had wanted to "sex up" the dossier they would have erred on the side of the 20-minute claim. He says they were never saying Saddam Hussein had weapons that could hit Cyprus in 45 minutes but added it "could have been clearer" - with the benefit of hindsight.
Read coverage from earlier on in the session: Part 1 Read coverage from earlier on in the session: Part 2Read coverage from earlier on in the session: Part 1 Read coverage from earlier on in the session: Part 2