Reflections

Abstract

On 29 January 2010 Tony Blair appeared before the Iraq Inquiry to be questioned about his role in the justification and execution of the UK’s military intervention in Iraq. Hundreds of protestors had gathered outside the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre near the Houses of Parliament in central London, determined to heckle him and highlight what they saw as his deception of the country as he took the UK to war against Iraq. The placards on display were adorned with phrases such as: ‘Bliar’, ‘Blair lied, thousands died’ and ‘Judgement day for Blair’.¹ Unbeknown to the protesters, including relatives of soldiers who had died in Iraq, Blair had entered the building by the back door at 7.30 a.m. to avoid them. Though he was no longer Prime Minister, the intensity of the antipathy his Iraq policy had engendered in some members of the public was so great that police were concerned for his safety. By going to such lengths to avoid being confronted by parents mourning the deaths of their children in the war he advocated Blair enflamed the situation further, leading to strong condemnation and giving the impression, rightly or wrongly, that he had something to hide.