British government to proceed with Iraq inquiry despite opposition walkout [View All]

LONDON (AFP) - The British government said it would go ahead with an inquiry into flawed intelligence on Iraq (news - web sites) and weapons of mass destruction, after the main opposition Conservatives withdrew support for the probe.


In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites), Tory leader Michael Howard said he could not accept the "unacceptably restrictive fashion" in which inquiry chief Lord Robin Butler was planning to carry out his work.


In particular, Howard said there was "no justification" for Butler to focus on "structures, systems and processes" and not the actions of individuals in the run-up to the US and British invasion of Iraq on March 20 last year.


"After careful reflection of these matters, I have, therefore, decided with regret to withdraw my cooperation from the Butler review," he said.

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