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LIVE: Campbell faces Iraq inquiry LIVE: Campbell faces Iraq inquiry
(10 minutes later)
By Emma Griffiths 1138 Panel member Sir Martin Gilbert is asking about UK views on what would happen if the UN route for dealing with Saddam failed. Mr Blair had a "genuine fear" that the UN's own reputation might have been damaged if it did not stand up to Saddam, Mr Campbell suggests By Emma Griffiths 1145 It was when the PM returned from his summer break in 2002 that he decided to bring forward the process on the dossier, Mr Campbell said.
alkennedy asks whether Campbell is playing the "It was GW's fault" card. The answer seems to be no - he's playing the "It was all France's fault for not backing us" card.John B, Sunderland
1144 The dossier was "an exercise in openness" and trying to share with people sensitive information so they were fully informed, he said. Previously the public would have accepted it if a government said it did not discuss intelligence matters, but that had changed.
1142 Why was a dossier necessary in September 2002, Mr Campbell was asked. He said Mr Blair had been growing "more and more concerned" after the 11 September 2001 attacks. He was privy to material that only a few senior ministers were able to see, he adds.
How on earth can Campbell say that Blair hoped to avoid war when by Blair's own words he said he would have gone to war regardless?Hugh, UK
Let's not forget that Campbell is a master of presentation and "spin". I doubt even Blair will prepare as well as he has done.Alan, Penzance
1140 Despite "terrible divisions" at the time - the UN were able to get involved quickly in the aftermath of the war, partly because of work done by Mr Blair, Mr Campbell says.
Alastair Campbell is often being distracted by the detail of some of these answers, I think the panel need to accept his responses in their context and not in the very abstract fashion they've been directed so far.Simon, Selby, N.Yorks
Well, so far Campbell is doing a very good job of keeping cool and composed...although the inquisitors haven't really tested him yet, I don't think. I hope they put more pressure on him when they return.Dan, Winchester
I feel the panel need to take control and not let Campbell take control and not answer the questions vaguely - they seem to glossing over the questions.Mark, Carterton, Oxon
By the constant references to Blair, it seems like they are sizing up a case against Blair in the future.Fred Stone, London
1138 Panel member Sir Martin Gilbert is asking about UK views on what would happen if the UN route for dealing with Saddam failed. Mr Blair had a "genuine fear" that the UN's own reputation might have been damaged if it did not stand up to Saddam, Mr Campbell suggests
1135 Mr Campbell is talking about the September 2002 dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction - the one which contained the famous "45 minutes claim".1135 Mr Campbell is talking about the September 2002 dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction - the one which contained the famous "45 minutes claim".
1133 The inquiry is restarting. Chairman Sir John says they're already over-running and the session will now run on into the afternoon, although there will be a lunch break.1133 The inquiry is restarting. Chairman Sir John says they're already over-running and the session will now run on into the afternoon, although there will be a lunch break.
1127 James Landale says Mr Campbell has spent the morning defending his former boss, Tony Blair - it was a bit like being back in press briefings during the Blair years at Number 10.1127 James Landale says Mr Campbell has spent the morning defending his former boss, Tony Blair - it was a bit like being back in press briefings during the Blair years at Number 10.
1124 The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg says the panel spent a lot of time at the beginning of the session exactly what his job was and about Tony Blair's "inner circle". Did they get down to the nitty gritty? He was not pushed on any points particularly hard, says Laura. BBC deputy political editor James Landale says Mr Campbell was well prepared and looked confident - his defence had been stronger than the acuteness of the questioning. Mr Campbell had argued there was no change in policy by the UK after the Crawford meeting - but it appeared the British government was making clear to the US it would support them if diplomacy failed at a time it was not making that argument in the UK.1124 The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg says the panel spent a lot of time at the beginning of the session exactly what his job was and about Tony Blair's "inner circle". Did they get down to the nitty gritty? He was not pushed on any points particularly hard, says Laura. BBC deputy political editor James Landale says Mr Campbell was well prepared and looked confident - his defence had been stronger than the acuteness of the questioning. Mr Campbell had argued there was no change in policy by the UK after the Crawford meeting - but it appeared the British government was making clear to the US it would support them if diplomacy failed at a time it was not making that argument in the UK.
1120 Frank Gardner says there was no institutional relationship between Saddam Hussein's regime and al-Qaeda - they loathed each other, he said. But a fundamentally different message was coming out of the Foreign Office and intelligence services on the one hand and Downing Street in 2003, he says. Downing Street appeared to be backing the US line that there might be a link.1120 Frank Gardner says there was no institutional relationship between Saddam Hussein's regime and al-Qaeda - they loathed each other, he said. But a fundamentally different message was coming out of the Foreign Office and intelligence services on the one hand and Downing Street in 2003, he says. Downing Street appeared to be backing the US line that there might be a link.
1117 Tony Blair all the way through was trying to get it resolved "without a single shot being fired. That was his motivation all the way through", says Mr Campbell. And the inquiry members are on their feet for a short break.1117 Tony Blair all the way through was trying to get it resolved "without a single shot being fired. That was his motivation all the way through", says Mr Campbell. And the inquiry members are on their feet for a short break.
1115 Did the PM believe that Saddam had to be confronted, even if the UN did not support it, asks Sir Roderic. Even the French were saying Iraq was a threat, Mr Campbell said. The question supposes that the UN was one body when it was a collection of countries, he said.1115 Did the PM believe that Saddam had to be confronted, even if the UN did not support it, asks Sir Roderic. Even the French were saying Iraq was a threat, Mr Campbell said. The question supposes that the UN was one body when it was a collection of countries, he said.
Watching Campbell dealing with this enquiry is just awe-inspiring. The way he answers questions is great. This panel are good, but they'll have to get up very early in the morning to catch Mr Campbell out. Although he is coming across as Blair's lapdog slightly...Rob, LichfieldWatching Campbell dealing with this enquiry is just awe-inspiring. The way he answers questions is great. This panel are good, but they'll have to get up very early in the morning to catch Mr Campbell out. Although he is coming across as Blair's lapdog slightly...Rob, Lichfield
alkennedy tweets: Is Campbell just playing the "it was all GW's fault" card?alkennedy tweets: Is Campbell just playing the "it was all GW's fault" card?
Margit11 tweets: Alastair Campbell really being shown up as the clueless provincial waffle-hack he is.Margit11 tweets: Alastair Campbell really being shown up as the clueless provincial waffle-hack he is.
trobertc tweets: I think Campbell is doing very well. His job was probably different to other press secretaries because media changed.trobertc tweets: I think Campbell is doing very well. His job was probably different to other press secretaries because media changed.
1110 In March 2002 Christopher Meyer said he got new instructions to "say to the Americans, look if you want to do regime change and if this is going to require military action ... and you want your friends and partners to join you far better then you do it in an alliance" - such as the UN route. Was that not a change, asks Sir Roderic. Mr Campbell says it was consistent with what Mr Blair had argued previously.1110 In March 2002 Christopher Meyer said he got new instructions to "say to the Americans, look if you want to do regime change and if this is going to require military action ... and you want your friends and partners to join you far better then you do it in an alliance" - such as the UN route. Was that not a change, asks Sir Roderic. Mr Campbell says it was consistent with what Mr Blair had argued previously.
1109 Was he not signalling to the American people that he supports regime change in Iraq with that speech, asks Sir Roderic. Mr Campbell says Mr Blair was saying the British government would support the US government if the diplomatic route failed. "In my view that was not a significant shift," he says. But did he repeat the line in the UK at the time, says Sir Roderic. With modern communications what they are - everyone would have been aware of it, says Mr Campbell. Sir Roderic asks again if that was "his line" in the UK. Mr Campbell says the "overall approach" was the same throughout - although there may have been moments where "emphasis changed". Had he used the line again in the UK after Crawford, Sir Roderic asks again. Mr Campbell says he had repeated that if the diplomatic route failed then the "military options was evident".1109 Was he not signalling to the American people that he supports regime change in Iraq with that speech, asks Sir Roderic. Mr Campbell says Mr Blair was saying the British government would support the US government if the diplomatic route failed. "In my view that was not a significant shift," he says. But did he repeat the line in the UK at the time, says Sir Roderic. With modern communications what they are - everyone would have been aware of it, says Mr Campbell. Sir Roderic asks again if that was "his line" in the UK. Mr Campbell says the "overall approach" was the same throughout - although there may have been moments where "emphasis changed". Had he used the line again in the UK after Crawford, Sir Roderic asks again. Mr Campbell says he had repeated that if the diplomatic route failed then the "military options was evident".
I do not understand why there is a constant reference to Blair. Why are they not focusing on Campbell's role as advisor?Andrea Robertson, IlfracombeI do not understand why there is a constant reference to Blair. Why are they not focusing on Campbell's role as advisor?Andrea Robertson, Ilfracombe
1106 On whether Mr Blair had signed up to a policy of regime change after the Crawford meeting - Sir Roderic points out Mr Blair used the phrase in a speech shortly afterwards. "That language on regime change... You as a communications expert, would you not feel that that was a clear indication that the prime minister was giving to the American people of his support for regime change?" Mr Campbell says he doesn't remember what the US media did with it but he personally did not see it as a "significant shift". He goes through a previous speech Mr Blair made at speed and is asked to slow down for the stenographer.1106 On whether Mr Blair had signed up to a policy of regime change after the Crawford meeting - Sir Roderic points out Mr Blair used the phrase in a speech shortly afterwards. "That language on regime change... You as a communications expert, would you not feel that that was a clear indication that the prime minister was giving to the American people of his support for regime change?" Mr Campbell says he doesn't remember what the US media did with it but he personally did not see it as a "significant shift". He goes through a previous speech Mr Blair made at speed and is asked to slow down for the stenographer.
1105 Mr Campbell says there were continuing discussions about the policy of "containing" Saddam Hussein - including with the French. Sir Roderic asks if Mr Blair was aware of the risks of a policy that might lead to military action. Mr Campbell says Mr Blair would always "candidly" weigh up the "upsides and downsides" of any particular action.1105 Mr Campbell says there were continuing discussions about the policy of "containing" Saddam Hussein - including with the French. Sir Roderic asks if Mr Blair was aware of the risks of a policy that might lead to military action. Mr Campbell says Mr Blair would always "candidly" weigh up the "upsides and downsides" of any particular action.
1102 Questioning is handed back to Sir Roderic, who asks about what strategic options were on the table after the meeting at George Bush's Crawford ranch.1102 Questioning is handed back to Sir Roderic, who asks about what strategic options were on the table after the meeting at George Bush's Crawford ranch.
1101 Mr Blair had not signed up to get rid of Saddam regardless of WMD, he says. "It was not like that."1101 Mr Blair had not signed up to get rid of Saddam regardless of WMD, he says. "It was not like that."
1059 Mr Campbell jabs the desk with his finger as he repeats that while Mr Blair felt Saddam Hussein should be removed, he was not pursuing a policy of military action right from the start. Mr Blair had a "fundamental view" about weapons of mass destruction being a "real threat" - and the context changed after the September 11 2001 attacks. Containment was becoming "less successful" and the tolerance for Saddam Hussein's defiance of UN resolutions changed, he said.1059 Mr Campbell jabs the desk with his finger as he repeats that while Mr Blair felt Saddam Hussein should be removed, he was not pursuing a policy of military action right from the start. Mr Blair had a "fundamental view" about weapons of mass destruction being a "real threat" - and the context changed after the September 11 2001 attacks. Containment was becoming "less successful" and the tolerance for Saddam Hussein's defiance of UN resolutions changed, he said.
1056 Why did weapons of mass destruction become so central to the arguments about Iraq? Because that was "what gave rise to the fear", says Mr Campbell - Mr Blair felt if nothing was done about WMD it was only a matter of time before it was "linked in with" terrorist groups.1056 Why did weapons of mass destruction become so central to the arguments about Iraq? Because that was "what gave rise to the fear", says Mr Campbell - Mr Blair felt if nothing was done about WMD it was only a matter of time before it was "linked in with" terrorist groups.
1053 At the Camp David meeting in September 2002, did the president and PM discuss what would happen after military action? Yes, replies Mr Campbell - "they were already talking about aftermath" - it was "always on the agenda". But the British government still wanted to resolve it peacefully, he said. He agreed there was a feeling among the "neo con wing" that it would be "all right on the day" - but said others did not share that. The British had the sense there was planning for the aftermath of war "going on" in the US administration, he says.1053 At the Camp David meeting in September 2002, did the president and PM discuss what would happen after military action? Yes, replies Mr Campbell - "they were already talking about aftermath" - it was "always on the agenda". But the British government still wanted to resolve it peacefully, he said. He agreed there was a feeling among the "neo con wing" that it would be "all right on the day" - but said others did not share that. The British had the sense there was planning for the aftermath of war "going on" in the US administration, he says.
I think Alastair Campbell is coming off quite well so far. The questioners are trying to show their mettle by interrupting and speaking over him, but they haven't scored any scalps yet.Ben, CoventryI think Alastair Campbell is coming off quite well so far. The questioners are trying to show their mettle by interrupting and speaking over him, but they haven't scored any scalps yet.Ben, Coventry
1048 The UK was "very keen all the time" to emphasise the importance of the UN while the US attitude to the UN was "lukewarm", says Mr Campbell.1048 The UK was "very keen all the time" to emphasise the importance of the UN while the US attitude to the UN was "lukewarm", says Mr Campbell.
1047 A "key moment" in the history of the Iraq war - was when President Bush asked Mr Blair to persuade his own vice president to go down the United Nations route, says Mr Campbell - who adds that he believes ex-ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer had been "churlish" in his own evidence on that meeting.1047 A "key moment" in the history of the Iraq war - was when President Bush asked Mr Blair to persuade his own vice president to go down the United Nations route, says Mr Campbell - who adds that he believes ex-ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer had been "churlish" in his own evidence on that meeting.
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