Short defies Blair in fresh attack

Published on Monday 1 March 2004 00:00

Key points

• Clare Short issues challenge to Tony Blair to strip her of privy councillor status

• Renews claims concerning bugging of Kofi Annan

• Ms Short still to be re-selected for Birmingham seat

Key quote

"It was a regular process of spying on his office’s phone calls and papers." – Clare Short

Story in full CLARE Short yesterday challenged Tony Blair to strip her of her privy councillor status as she produced, on live television, a letter ordering her not to betray government secrets.

In another ferocious attack on the Prime Minister, Ms Short said she received a "threatening letter" saying that, as a former minister, she is banned from attempting to damage the government by quoting classified information.

Her broadside was backed up by Baroness Kennedy, a leading Scottish QC, who claimed an independent pro-war lawyer was drafted in to help make Mr Blair’s case for war because almost no-one in Whitehall was prepared to do it. This fuelled reports that Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney General, changed his advice on the legality of war under political pressure.

Ms Short, who has yet to be re-selected as Labour candidate for Birmingham Ladywood, produced a letter sent by Sir Andrew Turnbull, the Cabinet Secretary, reminding her of the conduct expected from a former international development secretary.

It accused her of "purporting to breach confidences given you by virtue of ministerial office" and of violating the oath she took as a privy councillor.

She defiantly renewed her claim that British intelligence bugged Kofi Annan, the United Nations Secretary General, in the run-up to war with Iraq. "It was a regular process of spying on his office’s phone calls and papers," she said.

Ms Short said she does not feel bound by the Official Secrets Act because Mr Blair declassified intelligence to make the case for war.

This, she said, suggests she is entitled to do the same.