Local MSP's respond to findings of Chilcott Inquiry

Milngavie and Bearsden MSP's have responded to the long awaited findings of the the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq War.
Gil Paterson and Rona MackayGil Paterson and Rona Mackay
Gil Paterson and Rona Mackay

Gil Paterson, MSP for Milngavie, said: “The former Prime Minister Tony Blair must be held accountable for the carnage of the Iraq War and the subsequent chaos that followed it.

“The Iraq Inquiry findings have clarified the long held doubt I have had that Tony Blair and his cronies led the United Kingdom into a war that need not have happened.

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“Most of all, my greatest wish is that the families who lost loved ones are able to gain some closure from the findings published today.”

Rona Mackay, recently elected MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, said: “The invasion of Iraq should never have taken place, and the shocking findings of the inquiry today prove that.

“Tony Blair and his associates should be held accountable for the loss of lives and devastation in Iraq to the tune of 179 servicemen and 200,000 civilians.

“My heart goes out to the families whose loved ones were killed as a result of the invasion of Iraq. I hope publication of the Iraq Inquiry can give them some peace.”

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Sir John Chilcot’s 6,000-page report on the Iraq war and occupation has delivered a crushing verdict on Tony Blair’s decision to join the US invasion, finding a multitude of mistakes and bad strategy that led to years of devastating mismanagement and strife.

Key findings include: Blair deliberately exaggerated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, the UK chose to invade before it had exhausted peaceful options, British intelligence produced “flawed information”, the US ignored UK advice on postwar planning, the British military was poorly prepared for war, Blair ignored warnings, kept his cabinet in the dark and had no plans in place for the occupation of the country after the invasion.