Letters | 4 July 2009

On the Iraq inquiries

Sir: Lest myths become accepted as facts, may I correct two aspects of John Kampfner’s article (‘The secret Iraq deal’, 27 June) about the Iraq Intelligence Review, which I chaired.

First, a myth has grown up that the Review’s criticisms of the government were originally more trenchant but were watered down following government pressure. The facts are that, as fair procedure required, we gave those affected by our criticisms an opportunity to respond and make some verbal amendments in response to their representations. But I do not recall any instances in which these affected the substance of the criticisms.

Second, John Kampfner reports me as saying at the launch of the Review report that I did not hold any single individual responsible for the failures of intelligence and that I later regretted my ‘timidity’. I stand by the remark which Kampfner quotes and have not subsequently regretted it.

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The British in Basra

Sir: May I refute your assertion (Leading article, 27 June) that ‘Basra had to be liberated from the Shiite militias… by Iraqi and American forces in an operation that the British were not even informed about until it was underway.’