Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Oops!

Spies threaten Blair with 'smoking gun' over Iraq

From the always invaluable Avedon Carol at The Sideshow we learn this:

Senior intelligence officers kept secret records of meetings after pressure from No 10

Intelligence officers are holding a "smoking gun" which proves that they were subjected to a series of demands by Tony Blair's staff in the run-up to the Iraq war.

The officers are furious about the accusation levelled by the Leader of the Commons, John Reid, that "rogue elements" are at work in the security services. They fear they are being lined up to take the blame for faulty intelligence used to justify the Iraq war.

The intelligence services were so concerned about demands made by Downing Street for evidence to use against Iraq that extensive files have been built up detailing communications with Mr Blair's staff.

Stung by Dr Reid's accusations about misinformation over Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, intelligence officials have given veiled warnings about what may emerge in the two official inquiries into the affair.

"A smoking gun may well exist over WMDs, but it may not be to the Government's liking," said one senior source.


Guess that's what they mean about being careful what you wish for.

Mr. Blair appears to be in real trouble .

Wouldn't it be loverly if the papers over here were as independent as the Independent and the Telegraph, and the Guardian, and even the Times are over there.

And don't miss this testimoney about the value of writing letters to the editor.