Stop the War Coalition demonstrating against US/UK intelligence pre-war claims of Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction
(PA/EMPICS)

Why did Britain go to war?

The UK officially invaded Iraq over weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Tony Blair and George W Bush accused Saddam Hussein of developing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The United Nations (UN) passed a resolution demanding that Iraq disarm or face ‘serious consequences’. But when the UN weapons inspectors came home empty-handed, the UK and US claimed Saddam was hiding the evidence and declared war in March 2003.

Although WMD were never found, Blair says it was still right to go to war to liberate Iraqis from Saddam’s evil rule. But some say the war was to get control over Iraq’s rich oil supply.

Legality

Many governments, including France, Germany and Russia, argued that the war was illegal because the UN did not approve it. They also said that without WMD, Iraq was never really a serious threat. Blair is still refusing to publish the full legal advice he received that he says proves the war was allowed under international law.