The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

A “reasonable case” ........................................................................................................ 81

Lord Goldsmith’s meeting with No.10 officials, 27 February 2003 ............................ 81

Mr Straw’s evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee, 4 March 2003 ..................... 87

Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s advice on “end game options”, 4 March 2003 .................. 89

Mr Blair’s conversation with President Bush, 5 March 2003 .................................... 90

Advice on the effect of a “veto” ................................................................................. 90

Cabinet, 6 March 2003 ............................................................................................. 92

Lord Goldsmith’s advice, 7 March 2003 .......................................................................... 93

The revival argument – a sound basis “in principle” ................................................. 94

The revival argument – the effect of resolution 1441 (2002) .................................... 95

The first line of argument .......................................................................................... 96

The second line of argument .................................................................................... 97

The significance of OP12 .......................................................................................... 98

Other arguments rejected ......................................................................................... 99

Lord Goldsmith’s conclusions ................................................................................. 100

Other matters dealt with in Lord Goldsmith’s 7 March advice ................................ 105

Media coverage during the weekend of 8 and 9 March ................................................ 107

Government reaction to Lord Goldsmith’s advice of 7 March ....................................... 107

Mr Straw’s statement, 10 March 2003 .................................................................... 107

Mr Blair’s meeting with Lord Goldsmith, 11 March 2003 ........................................ 108

Mr Blair’s meeting, 11 March 2003 ......................................................................... 109

Mr Straw’s minute to Mr Blair, 11 March 2003 ........................................................ 112

Prime Minister’s Questions, 12 March 2003 ........................................................... 115

Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s discussions in New York, 12 March 2003 ....................... 116

Mr Blair’s conversation with President Bush, 12 March 2003 ................................ 118

Cabinet, 13 March 2003 ......................................................................................... 119

The continuing public debate ........................................................................................ 121

Media reports, 13 March 2003 ................................................................................ 121

Parliamentary calls for a statement ........................................................................ 121

The legal basis for military action .................................................................................. 123

Lord Goldsmith’s change of view, 13 March 2003 .................................................. 123

Preparing the legal case ......................................................................................... 129

Lord Goldsmith’s meeting with Lord Falconer and Baroness Morgan,

13 March 2003 ........................................................................................................ 131

Mr Blair’s conversation with President Bush, 13 March 2003 ................................ 132

2