Tony Blair - Iraq: I still think we were right to go in

Published on Wednesday 1 September 2010 20:13

THE former PM defended his decision to go to war in Iraq, despite admitting he broke down in tears over the death toll from the conflict.

Mr Blair claimed ousting Saddam Hussein from power had justified the 2003 invasion. He said: "On the basis of what we do know now, I still believe that leaving Saddam in power was a bigger risk to our security than removing him.

"I am unable to satisfy the desire even of some of my supporters, who would like me to say, 'It was a mistake but one made in good faith'.

|Friends opposed to the war think I'm being obstinate; others, less friendly, think I'm delusional. To both I may say: keep an open mind."

However, a boss of a leading trade union affiliated to Labour claimed that Mr Blair's decision over the Iraq war had left a "stain" on the UK.

Tony Woodley, joint leader of the Unite union, said: "No matter what Tony Blair says in his book, Britain lost faith in New Labour. The Iraq war is a stain on this nation, and New Labour pandered to the casino capitalists in the City."