The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, privately opposed going to war in Iraq without the support of the UN, a new book on Tony Blair claims.
Journalist Philip Stephens says the foreign secretary made his support conditional on explicit authorisation for the war by MPs and a statement by the UK attorney general that it was lawful. It is the second time reports have surfaced in books that Mr Straw lobbied against going to war without the UN's support. He also told the prime minister that Britain would need the backing of the House of Commons. The book also claims that Mr Blair relied on British intelligence, not solely diplomats, to keep him abreast of the thinking of the French president, Jacques Chirac. Mr Stephens claims that Mr Blair received intelligence reports that Mr Chirac "was intent on ruining him politically in Europe". ... - (Guardian service)