Britain abandoned Iraq to terror, says US general

By Peter Wozniak The UK’s withdrawal from its deployment in southern Iraq constituted a “defeat” according to US generals. The generals, speaking to a series for the BBC to be aired tonight, claimed that British troops abandoned their positions in Basra allowing local people to be “brutalised” by militia. General Jack Keane, who advised the […]

Clegg takes Iraq war message to New York

By Ian Dunt Nick Clegg has launched into a thinly-veiled attack on Britain and America’s decision to invade Iraq while visiting New York. The deputy prime minister, who is enjoying the most high-profile and important diplomatic negotiations of his career, told the UN general assembly that Britain would once again be known for its sense […]

Hague gives no quarter on Iran

By Peter Wozniak William Hague has told Iran Britain will not let up international pressure over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The foreign secretary met his opposite number Manouchehr Mottaki at a planned rendez-vous at the UN, where the two men exchanged views. Mr Hague stated prior to the meeting: “We agreed to sanctions in June… Now […]

Video: Clegg addresses Iraq in 2010 conference speech

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg raises Iraq in his first conference speech to party delegates as deputy prime minister:

Mandela’s fury over Iraq revealed

By politics.co.uk staff Nelson Mandela’s fury over the invasion of Iraq was laid bare today, with a report that the former South African leader was “breathing fire” over the issue. Former Welsh secretary Peter Hain, who was born in South Africa and campaigned against apartheid for much of his career, said he received a call […]

Hague ‘appalled’ at Iran stoning

By politics.co.uk staff William Hague has added his voice to international condemnation of Iran’s planned stoning to death of a convicted adulterer. The foreign secretary reiterated his horror at the impending execution of 43-year-old Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, as hope emerged that the mother of two may escape the brutal death currently planned. “I’m appalled by […]

Blair on Iran: Don’t rule out war

by Peter Wozniak Tony Blair has indicated that he would refuse to rule out any action, including the use of military force, in thwarting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In his memoir, Mr Blair cites Iran as a current threat to international security, amid passages where he defends his stance on intervening to topple ‘rogue’ regimes as […]

Iraq Body Count takes on Chilcot

By Ian Dunt One of the most respected organisations to emerge from the Iraq war launched a bitter attack on the Chilcot Inquiry today, branding it “flawed” and “derisory”. Iraq Body Count (IBC), which earned a reputation for its cautious but reliable methodology in assessing the level of civilian casualties during the conflict, criticised the […]

Cancer specialists ‘not consulted’ over Megrahi release

By politics.co.uk staff Four cancer specialists closely involved in the treatment of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi have said they were not consulted before his release. Megrahi was released under the orders of Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill on compassionate grounds, on the basis that he had three months to live. The case has prompted anger […]

Howard backs Hutton inquiry

By politics.co.uk staff The chance of an inquiry into the death of David Kelly became markedly more likely today, after Michael Howard joined those calling for it to take place. The former home secretary and Tory party leader admitted that shortcomings in the official report into the weapon inspector’s death had been on his mind […]