Blair urged 'gung-ho' stance on Saddam, inquiry told

Tony Blair said today that he had always made clear to US president George Bush that he would be “up for” regime change in Iraq if it was the only way of dealing with Saddam Hussein.

Making his second appearance before the Iraq Inquiry, the former British prime minister acknowledged that he had discussed ousting Saddam with Mr Bush as early December 2001 – even though it was not then British policy.