The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
–
How
do we track the activities of the people we release.
–
I
still think we limit ourselves too much in what action we say
we’ll
refrain
from. But we don’t explain to [JAM1] that others … might
conduct
operations;
so we still run the risk that he will interpret us reneging
when
in fact
it is someone else. We end up with the worst of both
worlds.
“HMA also
questioned the resumption of IDF immediately after the trial
cease‑fire
15‑17 June.
[The senior official] explained that no deal was reached on
immediate
extension
of the cease‑fire so this was to be expected.”
952.
In conclusion,
the senior official wrote:
“There is a
difference of British views between Basra and Baghdad, which it
is
not for
[us] to resolve. If the Secretary of State approves continuing
negotiations
with
[JAM1], it is essential that there be a mechanism for agreeing UK
policy lines
reasonably
quickly, within parameters laid down by ministers. One way of
doing
this would
be for [government officials working closely with the military] to
collate
recommendations
and views from theatre and send these to David
Richmond,
copied to
Desmond Bowen.”
953.
On 27 June,
Mr Blair stood down formally as Prime Minister. At the start
of his final
Prime
Minister’s Questions he paid tribute to two individuals recently
killed in Iraq522
and
another
killed in Afghanistan523
and
said:
“I am sorry
about the dangers that they [UK armed forces] face today in Iraq
and
Afghanistan.
I know that some may think that they face these dangers in vain. I
do
not, and I
never will. I believe that they are fighting for the security of
this country
and the
wider world against people who would destroy our way of
life.”524
954.
Iraq was also
raised by Mr Jeremy Corbyn who asked when Mr Blair
expected
British
troops to be withdrawn.525
Mr Blair
replied:
“The
numbers of UK forces in Iraq depend on the conditions in Iraq. The
numbers of
forces have
come down from 9,000 to 7,000 to 5,500. When, in the next few
weeks,
we are able
to complete a further phased withdrawal, they will come down
even
further,
but they must come down as and when the security conditions
allow.”
955.
Shortly after
Mr Blair tendered his resignation, HM The Queen
asked
Mr Gordon Brown
to form a government. He arrived at No.10 the same
afternoon.
522
Major Paul
Harding and Corporal John Rigby.
523
Drummer
Thomas Wright.
524
House of
Commons, Official
Report, 27 June
2007, column 323.
525
House of
Commons, Official
Report, 27 June
2007, column 328.
180