By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor
As has been widely reported it is assumed that the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war will be highly critical of Mr Blair.
However, Blair seems to have hinted that he may refuse to accept the verdict. This news will anger many including the families of soldiers who died during the Iraq conflict.
During an interview on the Andrew Marr Show, the ex-PM was asked if he would accept Chilcot’s conclusions, he said: “It is hard to say that when I haven’t seen it.
“But I think when you go back and you look at what was said, I don’t think anyone can seriously dispute that I was making it very clear what my position was.”
Regardless of the verdict he said he would not shy away from the findings and will defend himself in the media rather than trying to stay out of the spotlight, which may surprise many.
He said: “By the way, the thing that will be important when it does happen is that we have then a full debate. And I look forward to participating in that. Make no mistake about that. It is really important we do debate these issues.”
The report, it is assumed, will be highly critical of the American and British failure to have a contingency plan for the aftermath of the war, which has seen the country descend into years of sectarian conflict, which has seen hundreds of thousands of Iraqis’ die and contributed to the emergence of IS.
The main discussion point over the report is whether Blair will be directly accused of lying to the public in the build up to the war.
During the interview Blair also dismissed claims that his wealth and lavish lifestyle meant he was now out of touch with the people who used to support him.
He said: “What I say to that is, if you are reading stuff in the press about what I do nowadays, don’t read it or believe it. Go and look at my website and you’ll see what I actually do.
“I spend 80% of my time on unpaid work. I have just literally spent weeks in the Middle East on the Middle East peace process. I have two foundations. I employ around 200 people. I have to raise the money and make the money for all of them. What we actually do is very good and exciting work around the world, but you won’t read a bit of it here.”
