Butler Report - Whitewash cannot deny Blair’s role

WHITEWASH is the word that best describes the Butler report on the role of British intelligence leading up to the war on Iraq.

A classic example of the establishment investigating itself, the inquiry skirts around the political minefield with such delicacy it would be astonishing if it criticised Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Lord Butler is after all the quintessential establishment figure, a 66-year-old career civil servant who has served five prime ministers including Wilson, Heath, Thatcher, Major and Blair.