Yesterday, The Iraq inquiry finally gave its report which is widely known as Chilcot Report. In this Report, the inquiry concluded:
- Saddam Regime did not pose a threat to British interests
- The evidence for presence of WMDs in Iraq was not credible/enough
- UK and US were already looking for excuses to start the war even before the peaceful options to resolve the conflict were exhausted.
- Legal authority for starting the war was far from satisfactory
- War was unnecessary
- Military action failed to achieve its goal and played a role in destabilisation of Iraq
- Invaders moved in without an adequate plan for rebuilding Iraq
Given all these findings, It could be said that British PM of the time, Tony Blair, was responsible for deaths of British soldiers and millions of Iraqis. He could also be said to be responsible for the destabilization which resulted in rise of ISIS and global terrorism.
Following charges could possibly be leveled against Mr. Blair apparently:
- Waging an unlawful war of aggression
- Endangering world peace
- War crimes committed by British Forces which could be tied to Mr. Blair due to responsibility of command.
- Causing Millions of deaths of Iraqi civilians
- Causing deaths of British servicemen and women
- Lying to Parliament, Cabinet and British Public
- Endangering British interests world wide and specifically in Middle East.
- Endangering British lives home and over-seas.
- Abuse of power and office
There is already a huge debate whether or not Tony Blair be taken to court now. Many people seem to be of the idea that this report has no legal basis and so Blair cannot be tried for any of these charges.
My Question is, Can he be prosecuted for the above mentioned charges by British or international bodies? If not for the above mentioned charges, Can he be prosecuted at all (And for what charges)?
EDIT: According to Lord Ken Macdonald, former director of Public Prosecutions:
Mr Blair’s behaviour could amount to the criminal offence of misconduct in public office. It “seemed very likely” Mr Blair had “roundly abused the trust placed in him by the public,”