LONDON: Days after the inquiry report on UK’s role in the US-led invasion of Iraq made sensation, former deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, John Prescott, who played a key role during the war against Iraq accepted that he had done a mistake which will make him mentally suffer throughout his life, while terming the war as ‘illegal’.
Prescott, one of the powerful politicians at that time, who supported the decision of war against Iraq in 2003 said that the ‘ill-feeling’ will always haunt him as long as he lives.
“I have never spent a day without thinking of the war. It was a cruel decision. The fact that thousands of men and women were killed during the war always made me sad and depressed. Because of our indecision, the British troops were forced to sacrifice their lives for a cause which is inhuman”, Prescott wrote in the ‘Sunday Mirror’.
Sir John Chilkot, had earlier released the report on the UK’s participation in the war against Iraq. The report studied various aspects which led to the UK’s participation in the war and also, made suggestions on what lessons the British must learn from the bitter experience.
Though the report created much havoc in the UK, the then Prime Minister Tony Blair seems to be unmoved. The former Prime Minister while accepting that his decision was not a wise one, reiterated that he stands by his decision to take the country to war.
The former deputy prime minister, on the other hand, unearthed a few facts which showcased Prime Minister Tony Blair’s administration in 2003. “I have once heard Blair assuring the US-President “I am with you, Whatever”, months before the War of Iraq. The cabinet had no saying under his leadership. We were not given any importance. Any report laid on the table for a decision, had no detailed paper work in it. Those were the most undemocratic days in my life”.
While adding that the damage which has been done to Iraq cannot be restored, Prescott apologized to the World for remaining a tooth-less Tiger during the war. “In 2004, even the United Nations General Secretary had expressed his dissatisfaction against the war. He said that the war was illegal. With great sadness and anger, i accept his statement now”, said Prescott.