Blair's 'legal war' claim under fire

Former attorney general Lord Goldsmith has criticised Tony Blair for publicly suggesting Britain could attack Iraq without further UN backing, despite legal advice to the contrary.

Lord Goldsmith said he was "uncomfortable" about statements made by the ex-premier before the 2003 invasion, a document released yesterday by the Chilcot Inquiry reveals.

On 14 January 2003, he advised Mr Blair UN Security Council resolution 1441 was not enough to justify the use of force in Iraq. But the next day Mr Blair told the Commons there were "circumstances" in which a second resolution explicitly backing military action was not necessary.

Asked whether Mr Blair's words were compatible with the advice he received, the former attorney general wrote: "No."