Blair defends Iraq decision following leaked memo

TONY BLAIR yesterday mounted an impassioned defence of his decision to take Britain to war with Iraq in the face of fresh disclosures about the build up to the conflict.

A leaked memorandum drawn up after high level Downing Street talks suggested that planning for military action was already well under way, eight months before the invasion took place.

At the same time the then Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Michael (now Lord) Boyce, disclosed his concerns that the war may not have been legal under international law.