Jack Straw 'offered Blair way out of joining Iraq war'
Former foreign secretary Jack Straw offered Tony Blair a "way out" of attacking Iraq at a secret meeting days ahead of the invasion, it was claimed yesterday.
Mr Straw advised there was a final chance to halt Britain's involvement eight days before the war began, according to evidence published by the official inquiry into the conflict.
Mr Blair insisted he wanted to press ahead with military action, an unnamed witness said.
The meeting was not recorded after No 10 officials decided it was "a very personal discussion" and had not changed anything.
Extracts from the anonymous evidence were released ahead of Mr Blair's second appearance before the inquiry today.
The witness told the inquiry Mr Straw argued for not being involved in the conflict at a meeting with Mr Blair and officials on 12 March 2003.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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