‘Unbowed arrogance’: British press respond with venom to former prime minister Tony Blair’s apology for Iraq war
After publication of the long-awaited Chilcot report, Blair gave emotional press conference, acknowledging mistakes but defending his intentions
Tony Blair pleaded with his critics to stop questioning his intentions over Britain’s disastrous war in Iraq, after a blistering verdict by the Chilcot inquiry – but commentators on Thursday showed scant sympathy.
“For his own sanity he still has to tell himself the world is ‘better and safer’ for him joining George Bush’s assault on Iraq. It is a monumental delusion,” said an editorial in The Sun, Britain’s top-selling paper.
He still believes he had no choice. You could have said no, Tony
“Blair does admit the post-war planning was a calamity. That is his only concession. He sees no reason to apologise for his decision to go to war and insists he’d do the same again. He still believes he had no choice. You could have said no, Tony.”
After the publication of the long-awaited inquiry report on Wednesday, Blair gave an emotional two-hour press conference in which he acknowledged mistakes but defended his intentions – and said he would do it again.
Newspaper coverage on Thursday was scathing of the former Labour prime minister, who won three elections but stepped down in 2007, as Iraq collapsed into sectarian violence, with his reputation in tatters.
Appearing close to tears, Blair had said he felt more sorrow than anyone could imagine for the conflict.
In the left-learning Guardian, commentator Anne Perkins admitted that “it feels cheap at such a time to doubt someone’s sincerity”.