Blair urged ‘gung-ho’ stance on Saddam

A FULL year before the US-led invasion of Iraq, then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair told his chief of staff, the West should be “gung-ho” on toppling Saddam Hussein, a panel looking into the conflict disclosed yesterday.

Blair returned to testify for a second time before a five-member panel scrutinising Britain’s role in the unpopular war — having been recalled after witnesses raised doubts about sections of his testimony at an initial appearance a year ago.

As Blair was questioned, the panel released a series of letters and documents detailing the intense discussions inside the British government over how to respond to the perceived threat posed by Saddam.