The Chilcott Enquiry

WHAT WILL THE EFFECTS OF BLAIR'S APPEARANCE BEFORE THE ENQUIRY BE ?

While the public has been told that nobody is on trial at the enquiry few tend to feel that way about it. Emotions and tensions have run so high that the government can scarcely ignore public feelings more particularly in the run up to the general election. While Clair Short has exonerated Gordon Brown from complicity on the Andrew Marr Show, the facts are that he signed the cheques for the war and so many times said publicly that he stood behind the Prime Minister on the issue. Blair stands condemned in the public's mind - if Brown does not distance himself from him - he will also suffer - a suffering which will be bad for the party's chances in the general election.

Blair's shock statement of no regrets and that he would do the same again has put him at odds with his new found religion and the Vatican. Converts on their baptism into the Catholic Church are required to renounce their sins and to express a perfect contrition with a firm purpose of amendment with a promise never to repeat them. Blair has expressed precisely the opposite. When he visited the Pope immediately prior to going to war in Iraq he was requested by Pope John Paul specifically not to do so. The Pope pointed out the horrors of war which would be suffered by innocent people. Blair took no notice. His purpose in going to the Vatican was to further the "spin" of deceit which was part of his stock in trade and of his modus operandi.
His subsequent reception into the Catholic Church has been the cause of deep resentment amongst Catholics many of whom have made representation that he be excommunicated. His recent expression of no regrets and of his proposals to take military action against Iran have renewed calls for his expulsion from the church.