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Iraq protest lawyer faces inquiry Iraq war 'unlawful' says adviser
(about 6 hours later)
A Foreign Office legal adviser who quit in protest at the decision to go to war in Iraq is due to give evidence at the inquiry into the conflict. The Foreign Office's most senior lawyer has said he believed the invasion of Iraq flouted international law.
Elizabeth Wilmshurst resigned because she thought the invasion was illegal. In written evidence to the Iraq inquiry Sir Michael Wood said he thought the use of force against Iraq was "contrary to international law".
Sir Michael Wood, the Foreign Office's former chief legal adviser, is also due to give evidence to the inquiry chaired by Sir John Chilcot. He told the inquiry, in person, that he thought a further UN resolution was needed to sanction military action.
Ex-prime minister Tony Blair and former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith will appear later this week. Attorney General Lord Goldsmith advised ministers force was permissible on the basis of existing UN resolutions.
Margaret Beckett, former foreign secretary, is also expected to testify on Tuesday. 'Not authorized'
'Safest legal course' Arguments about the legality of the war are taking centre stage this week as former Lord Goldsmith gives evidence on Wednesday and ahead of former prime minister Tony Blair's appearance on Friday.
Ms Wilmshurst was the only UK civil servant to resign over the war. Elizabeth Wilmshurst, the Foreign Office lawyer who resigned because she thought the invasion was illegal, is appearing later on Tuesday.
On the eve of the conflict, she argued that "an unlawful use of force on such a scale amounts to the crime of aggression". In documents published by the inquiry, Sir Michael - chief legal adviser to the Foreign Office between 2001 and 2006 - said he believed the March 2003 invasion did not have a legal basis.
INQUIRY TIMETABLE Tuesday: Ex-Foreign Office legal advisers Sir Michael Wood and Elizabeth Wilmshurst will appear, as will former Foreign Secretary Margaret BeckettWednesday: Former attorney general Lord Goldsmith, who advised ministers the invasion was lawful, will give evidenceFriday: Former prime minister Tony Blair will make his long-awaited appearance "I considered that the use of force against Iraq in March 2003 was contrary to international law," he wrote.
She is expected to tell Sir John Chilcot that Sir Michael told Lord Goldsmith - the then Attorney General - of his reservations just days before the attack on Baghdad began in 2003. "In my opinion that use of force had not been authorized by the Security Council and had no other legal basis in international law."
Just before the conflict began, Lord Goldsmith said, in a statement, that authority to use force came from the combined effect of existing UN resolutions. Sir Michael said he had raised his concerns about legal issues with Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary at the time.
Yet 10 days earlier he had told the Prime Minister "the safest legal course" would be the adoption of a new UN resolution. However, Sir Michael said he had made it clear that it was ultimately up to Lord Goldsmith to advise ministers on whether the use of the force against Iraq would be lawful.
On the eve of the conflict, Ms Wilmshurst argued that "an unlawful use of force on such a scale amounts to the crime of aggression".
INQUIRY TIMETABLE Tuesday: Ex-Foreign Office legal advisers Sir Michael Wood and Elizabeth Wilmshurst will appear, as will former Foreign Secretary Margaret BeckettWednesday: Former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, who advised ministers the invasion was lawful, will give evidenceFriday: Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will make his long-awaited appearance
She is expected to tell inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot that Sir Michael told Lord Goldsmith - the then Attorney General - of his reservations just days before the attack on Baghdad began in 2003.
Just before the conflict began, Lord Goldsmith said in a statement that authority to use force came from the combined effect of existing UN resolutions.
Yet 10 days earlier he had told the prime minister "the safest legal course" would be the adoption of a new UN resolution.
BBC correspondent Peter Hunt said Lord Goldsmith's evolving views will be examined by the inquiry.BBC correspondent Peter Hunt said Lord Goldsmith's evolving views will be examined by the inquiry.
His appearance will set the scene for the appearance on Friday of Mr Blair, when he is expected to face six hours of questioning.His appearance will set the scene for the appearance on Friday of Mr Blair, when he is expected to face six hours of questioning.
A delegation of protesters plan to give a "people's dossier" of questions to Sir John ahead of Mr Blair's evidence.A delegation of protesters plan to give a "people's dossier" of questions to Sir John ahead of Mr Blair's evidence.
On the same day that Ms Wilmshurst gives evidence, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is expected to call for greater protection for government whistleblowers.On the same day that Ms Wilmshurst gives evidence, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is expected to call for greater protection for government whistleblowers.
He will say that had such safeguards been in place in the run-up to the conflict, "Tony Blair and Gordon Brown might have been more openly challenged by officials who harboured real doubts about the war". He will say that had such safeguards been in place in the run-up to the conflict, "Tony Blair and Gordon Brown might have been more openly challenged by officials who harboured real doubts about the war."