Robin Cook preempted the findings of the Chilcot inquiry more than 13 years ago in his 2003 resignation speech.
Tony Blair’s first foreign secretary echoed many of the findings of the report released by Sir John Chilcot yesterday.
Cook said he “cannot support a war without international agreement or domestic support” and went on to criticise the government for going in to battle without a second resolution from the UN Security Council and without exhausting all other options.
He said it was likely that casualties will be numbered at least in the thousands, and said it “is false to argue that only those who support war support our troops”.
In his closing statement he said: “I intend to join those tomorrow night who will vote against military action now. It is for that reason, and for that reason alone, and with a heavy heart, that I resign from the government.”
Sat behind Cook, the now leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn can be seen nodding in agreement.
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