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Iraq Legal Advice

So we've finally got the infamous advice from the Attorney General on the legality of the Iraq invasion. While some have been hoping this might contain a clear statement that the invasion was not legal, in fact it (unsurprisingly) says very little that is definite. Main points include :

Despite earlier claims by Blair (and indeed Goldsmith) the document does not state that the war would be legal, merely that a "reasonable case" could be made that it was legal. Further it notes that a court "might well conclude" that a "further [Security] Council decision" was required, and that proceeding without a further resolution "will only be sustainable if there are strong factual grounds for concluding that Iraq has failed to take the final opporunity [to disarm and allow inspectors to verify this]."

Blair's main argument for proceeding without a second resolution was that France was prepared to "unreasonably" veto such a resolution. Goldsmith's advice was that "it is likely to be difficult on the facts to categorise a French veto as 'unreasonable'."

And finally, if there was a need to decide whether Iraq was complying with its obligations or not, "it would be for the Council to make [the assessment]." i.e. Not for Bush nor Blair to decide.

So, on the basis of evidence that never existed (but was legally required) Blair made a decision that he had no right to make and took us into a war that "might well" be deemed illegal in an international court. And that's the judgement of one of his supporters...

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