Hoon tows the line

Former defence secretary Geoff Hoon has been giving evidence to the Chilcoot inquiry today as has told the panel that British involvement in the invasion of Iraq was not decided until it was approved by MPs.

The first cabinet member at the time to give evidence said

“I don’t believe he was ever unconditionally committing us to anything

he says of Tony Blair and reinforces that fact by telling the inquiry that in October 2002 the Americans were planning on the assumption that UK wouldn't give ground troops.

What he has also told the inquiry is that it was clear to him that Lord Goldsmith's conclusion was that there was a legal justification for military action based on 14.41.

“(There was) no doubt had Peter Goldsmith said this was illegal, there would have been no military action."