Cameron announces torture inquiry

By Alex Stevenson David Cameron has announced the details of an inquiry into British collusion in torture, as the government tries to lay to rest continued controversy over the UK’s role in the war on terror. Speculation that intelligence and security agencies had been lobbying for the inquiry to take place in secret and for […]

UK forces ‘last to leave’ Afghanistan

By Alex Stevenson British forces are likely to be among the last international forces to leave Afghanistan, Liam Fox has said. The defence secretary said Helmand province, where the bulk of British troops are stationed, was one of the most “difficult parts” of the country. As a result “the likelihood is that will be one […]

Iraq legal advice published

By politics.co.uk staff The legal advice offered to Tony Blair by the former attorney general over the 2003 invasion of Iraq has been published by the Chilcot Inquiry. The advice was delivered by Lord Goldsmith in early 2003, when he still believed that invasion would be illegal. He previously admitted to the Iraq Inquiry that […]

Taliban talks still on the table

By politics.co.uk staff Coalition forces in Afghanistan remain committed to talks with disillusioned elements of the Taliban, Liam Fox has confirmed. The defence secretary told reporters yesterday that achieving a “critical mass of support for the [Afghan] government” was being pursued through political as well as military means. “At the end of an insurgency of […]

Hague and Blair share Gaza relief

By Alex Stevenson Israel’s decision to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip prompted relieved statements from foreign secretary William Hague and Quartet envoy Tony Blair last night. All goods except weapons and those used to make them will be allowed in and out of the Palestinian territory, allowing swathes of humanitarian aid blocked for […]

Govt confirms 300th Afghan casualty

By politics.co.uk staff The 300th British casualty in Afghanistan has been confirmed by the government. The identity of the marine is being kept secret for 24 hours while next of kin are informed but the individual is understood to have come from 40 Commando Royal Marines, part of Combined Force Sangin. The marine died in […]

Gaza blockade eased, but Blair hopes dashed

By Ian Dunt The Israeli government has eased the land blockade on Gaza’s 1.4 million residents, but fallen far short of Tony Blair’s hopes for reform. After a two-day security cabinet meeting, Israel said it would expand the number of products allowed into Gaza, including construction materials. The construction materials are particularly important, because they […]

Cameron: This is a vital year in Afghanistan

By politics.co.uk staff David Cameron has told the Commons that “this is the vital year” in Afghanistan, in his first Commons statement on the war as prime minister. It came amid speculation he is planning to change strategy after the head of the armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, announced he was stepping […]

Trimble on Gaza flotilla inquiry

By politics.co.uk staff Israel had rejected UN demands for an independent international inquiry into its attack on an aid flotilla, but appointed two foreign observers to its domestic committee. Former Northern Ireland first minister David Trimble and Canadian judge Ken Watkin will oversee the Israeli investigation, although they have no voting rights. It will be […]

Cameron sells ‘pure and simple’ Afghan message

By politics.co.uk staff David Cameron has tried to turn a corner in the way the government sells the war in Afghanistan, with a “pure and simple” message that Britain is there to protect its national interest, not because of “dreamy ideas”. In his first trip to the country as prime minister, Mr Cameron was forced […]