Portrait of the Week – 28 September 2002

The government published its long-awaited dossier on Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction. It claimed that he has the capability to launch a chemical or biological attack within 45 minutes and could have a nuclear weapon within two years. Parliament was recalled to discuss the Iraq question. The Prime Minister said, ‘Disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction is the demand. One way or other, it must be acceded to.’ Sixty-four MPs, including 56 Labour members, voted against the government on a technical motion, but Cabinet opposition to war, namely from Robin Cook and Clare Short, appeared to wither. Estelle Morris, the Education Secretary, commissioned an independent inquiry into claims that A-level candidates had had their marks arbitrarily downgraded in order to lower the pass rate for the examination. Ms Morris deflected criticism of her department by suggesting that A-levels might soon be replaced in British schools by the international baccalaureate, despite the fact that the government reformed the A-level exam only last year.