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Hoon denies Iraq war inevitable Hoon denies Iraq war inevitable
(20 minutes later)
British involvement in the invasion of Iraq was not decided until it was approved by MPs, Geoff Hoon has said.British involvement in the invasion of Iraq was not decided until it was approved by MPs, Geoff Hoon has said.
The ex-defence secretary said the UK always hoped diplomatic efforts on Iraq would be successful and had never given "unconditional" support for war.The ex-defence secretary said the UK always hoped diplomatic efforts on Iraq would be successful and had never given "unconditional" support for war.
Letters show that Mr Hoon was warned by Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in April 2002 about the legality of military action in Iraq.Letters show that Mr Hoon was warned by Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in April 2002 about the legality of military action in Iraq.
Mr Hoon is the first former cabinet minister to appear at the Iraq inquiry.Mr Hoon is the first former cabinet minister to appear at the Iraq inquiry.
Legality of warLegality of war
He was defence secretary from 1999 to 2005 but is no longer in the cabinet.He was defence secretary from 1999 to 2005 but is no longer in the cabinet.
Declassified letters published by the inquiry show that Mr Hoon was warned by Lord Goldsmith in April 2002 that there were "considerable difficulties" in justifying military action in Iraq.Declassified letters published by the inquiry show that Mr Hoon was warned by Lord Goldsmith in April 2002 that there were "considerable difficulties" in justifying military action in Iraq.
Nearly a full year before the invasion, Lord Goldsmith told Mr Hoon that he was "not aware of the existence of material indicating the existence of an imminent threat from Iraq which would justify military action without the support of a [United Nations] Security Council authorisation".Nearly a full year before the invasion, Lord Goldsmith told Mr Hoon that he was "not aware of the existence of material indicating the existence of an imminent threat from Iraq which would justify military action without the support of a [United Nations] Security Council authorisation".
Lord Goldsmith ultimately advised the government in 2003 that the invasion of the Iraq was legal.Lord Goldsmith ultimately advised the government in 2003 that the invasion of the Iraq was legal.
Mr Hoon told the inquiry that the "inherent assumption" that the UK would take part in military action, come what may, was wrong.Mr Hoon told the inquiry that the "inherent assumption" that the UK would take part in military action, come what may, was wrong.
He said the UK always hoped diplomatic efforts would be "successful" and that UK involvement in any invasion was not inevitable until MPs backed the move in March 2003.He said the UK always hoped diplomatic efforts would be "successful" and that UK involvement in any invasion was not inevitable until MPs backed the move in March 2003.
"We never assumed that that we were in a position of unconditionally resorting to military action right up to the vote in the House of Commons," he said. "I never assumed that that we were in a position of unconditionally resorting to military action actually right up to the vote in the House of Commons," he said.
It was apparent the US "meant business" on Iraq by the summer of 2002, Mr Hoon told the inquiry.It was apparent the US "meant business" on Iraq by the summer of 2002, Mr Hoon told the inquiry.
The 9/11 attacks totally changed US thinking about security risks, he said, as Washington was "pretty determined that it was never going to be taken by surprise again".The 9/11 attacks totally changed US thinking about security risks, he said, as Washington was "pretty determined that it was never going to be taken by surprise again".
Mr Hoon said former prime minister Tony Blair had sought information about US military planning at a crucial meeting with President George Bush in April 2002 in order to understand US policy and to try to "influence it".Mr Hoon said former prime minister Tony Blair had sought information about US military planning at a crucial meeting with President George Bush in April 2002 in order to understand US policy and to try to "influence it".
At this stage, he said, there was "no expectation" in Whitehall that the UK would contribute troops to any future military action but that this was a possibility if certain conditions were met.At this stage, he said, there was "no expectation" in Whitehall that the UK would contribute troops to any future military action but that this was a possibility if certain conditions were met.
Mr Hoon said it did not "surprise" him that Mr Blair had written privately to President Bush about Iraq and said he had not seen any letters.Mr Hoon said it did not "surprise" him that Mr Blair had written privately to President Bush about Iraq and said he had not seen any letters.
'Short timelines''Short timelines'
Mr Hoon is likely to be asked later about pre-war military planning.Mr Hoon is likely to be asked later about pre-war military planning.
Former chief of the defence staff Lord Boyce has already told the inquiry he was prevented by Mr Hoon from talking to the chief of defence logistics "because of the concern of it becoming public knowledge that we were planning for a military contribution" in Iraq.Former chief of the defence staff Lord Boyce has already told the inquiry he was prevented by Mr Hoon from talking to the chief of defence logistics "because of the concern of it becoming public knowledge that we were planning for a military contribution" in Iraq.
Lord Boyce said it had left "short timelines" to prepare troops for war.Lord Boyce said it had left "short timelines" to prepare troops for war.
During a private hearing on Friday, General Sir John Reith - Chief of Joint Military Operations during the invasion - said he had told Mr Hoon in December 2002 that he needed to requisition ships and call up reservists immediately or else UK armed forces would not be able to take part in any invasion before the end of March 2003.During a private hearing on Friday, General Sir John Reith - Chief of Joint Military Operations during the invasion - said he had told Mr Hoon in December 2002 that he needed to requisition ships and call up reservists immediately or else UK armed forces would not be able to take part in any invasion before the end of March 2003.
Although this was done, he said Mr Hoon and other officials had been "reluctant" to commit to any action at that stage.Although this was done, he said Mr Hoon and other officials had been "reluctant" to commit to any action at that stage.
He said they did not want to alert the public to the fact military preparations were under way, as they wanted to keep their "options open".He said they did not want to alert the public to the fact military preparations were under way, as they wanted to keep their "options open".
The Conservatives say the inquiry needs to look at claims ministers delayed ordering equipment.The Conservatives say the inquiry needs to look at claims ministers delayed ordering equipment.
On Thursday Jack Straw - foreign secretary at the time of the invasion - will appear for a single three-hour session and on 29 January former Prime Minister Tony Blair will give evidence for a full day.On Thursday Jack Straw - foreign secretary at the time of the invasion - will appear for a single three-hour session and on 29 January former Prime Minister Tony Blair will give evidence for a full day.
Demand for seats for Mr Blair's evidence has been so high the inquiry has allocated them using a ballot system.Demand for seats for Mr Blair's evidence has been so high the inquiry has allocated them using a ballot system.
The Liberal Democrats say Mr Brown should appear at the inquiry earlier than his expected date after the general election.The Liberal Democrats say Mr Brown should appear at the inquiry earlier than his expected date after the general election.
Foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey said: "Gordon Brown is now the only major government player missing from the line-up at the Iraq inquiry before the election.Foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey said: "Gordon Brown is now the only major government player missing from the line-up at the Iraq inquiry before the election.
"By the time the UK chooses its next government, we will have heard from the men primarily responsible for Britain's decision to commit troops, but not the man who signed the cheques.""By the time the UK chooses its next government, we will have heard from the men primarily responsible for Britain's decision to commit troops, but not the man who signed the cheques."