4.4 | The search for WMD

highest level. Advice on specific examples should be sought from the ISG before the

issue was put on the agenda for discussion between Mr Blair and President Bush.

533. On 22 October, the House of Commons rejected a third Opposition motion

calling for an independent judge-led inquiry into pre-conflict intelligence.

534. On 22 October, the House of Commons debated an Opposition motion to set up

“a comprehensive independent judicial inquiry into the Government’s handling of the

run-up to the war, of the war itself, and of its aftermath, and into the legal advice which

it received”.289

535. The Opposition motion was defeated by 303 votes to 190.290 The Government

amendment, adopted by 293 votes to 141, stated:

“That this house notes that the Intelligence and Security Committee … the

appropriate body to consider the intelligence relating to Iraq, and the Foreign Affairs

Committee have both carried out inquiries into matters relating to the decision to

go to war in Iraq; further notes that substantial oral and written evidence, by and on

behalf of the Government, was provided to both inquiries; believes that there is no

case for a further inquiry, including a judicial inquiry …”291

536. During the debate Mr Straw was asked by Mr Tony Wright (Labour) whether he still

believed that the Iraqi regime had represented “a clear and present danger” to the UK.

Mr Straw replied:

“Yes, I do … It [the ISG] has done a great deal of work and found a good deal of

evidence. I regret that, because of the environment in which it has been working, it

has not so far been able to find more. However, nothing that it has found so far has

diminished my view of the threat.”292

537. The Op ROCKINGHAM daily report on 21 October stated that the ISG had

aborted an exploitation mission after a convoy had been attacked twice with Improvised

Explosive Devices (IEDs).293 There had been one very minor injury and three vehicles