Straw desperate to distance himself from Blair's beliefs says Davey

9.57.00am GMT Fri 22nd Jan 2010

Ed Davey MP Lib Dem Shadow Foreign Secretary

"Given his central role and all we know about Blair's support for Bush's regime change plans, Straw's claim seems implausible," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary.

Commenting on Jack Straw's appearance at the Iraq Inquiry, Edward Davey said:

"Jack Straw's insistence that he used his 'judgement' rather than solid proof of the existence of WMD is a weak defence of his role in this disastrous war.

"Given his central role and all we know about Blair's support for Bush's regime change plans, Straw's claim seems implausible.

"It is clear that he is desperate to distance himself from Tony Blair's unrepentant belief that he would have got rid of Saddam whatever it took.

"Jack Straw's testimony today also shows that there is no problem with serving Cabinet ministers appearing before the Iraq Inquiry. There is no obstacle to Gordon Brown appearing before the General Election to talk about his role as Chancellor in the run up to and during the Iraq War.