Tony Blair attacks Iraq Inquiry as part of Britain's 'obsession with conspiracy theories'

Tony Blair yesterday launched an extraordinary attack on the Iraq inquiry - as the chairman warned that he and others could be recalled over 'gaps' in their evidence.

In an outspoken interview in the U.S., the former prime minister dismissed the inquiry as part of a ' continual desire to sort of uncover some great conspiracy'.

Speaking on Fox News he said critics of the war were obsessed with conspiracy theories, and refused to accept that his motives were 'genuine'.



The 'Chilcot conspiracy': Tony Blair in America speaking to Fox News about his thoughts on the Iraq Inquiry

Asked about why the inquiry was being held he said: 'There's always got to be a scandal as to why you hold your view.



'There's got to be some conspiracy behind it. Some great, you know, deceit that's gone on, and people just find it hard to understand that it's possible for people to have different points of view and hold them reasonably for genuine reasons.'



His attack came as the chairman of the Iraq inquiry hinted that members of Mr Blair's government may have given misleading evidence or even lied.



In an ominous closing statement yesterday Sir John Chilcot said high-profile evidence from Mr Blair, Alastair Campbell, Jack Straw and others would form only 'one element' of the inquiry.

Sir John said his team was now studying tens of thousands of secret government documents which he said revealed 'what really went on' in the build-up to the 2003 invasion.



He said the documents suggested there were 'gaps' in the evidence the inquiry had heard so far.

Second grilling: Jack Straw arrives at the Iraq Inquiry where he was asked about conversations he had with Colin Powell

Sources yesterday said the inquiry panel was now weighing up whether to order a sensational recall of Mr Blair and other witnesses later this year.

Sir John's comments suggest he is meticulously matching the claims made by witnesses against Government documents.



They are likely to alarm several former members of Mr Blair's government who have already given evidence.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw yesterday looked taken aback when he was asked detailed questions about official notes of conversations which apparently showed the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell had told him the U.S. would invade Iraq 'come what may'.

Mr Straw initially said he could not 'recollect' such a conversation but later agreed to consult his records after members of the inquiry made it clear they knew the conversations had taken place.

Sir John yesterday said the documents would form 'the great bulk' of the evidence considered by the inquiry.

He added: 'They allow us to shine a bright light into seldom seen corners of the government machine, revealing what really went on behind the scenes before, during and after the Iraq conflict.

'Over the next few months we shall examine all the evidence that we have received, including those documents. That will enable us to see where the evidence joins together and where there are gaps.'

Sir John said the inquiry also hoped to hold talks with former members of the Bush administration.

Sources said the inquiry panel may travel to Washington this year in the hope of meeting senior figures including Colin Powell, former National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Judge Alberto Gonzales, who helped persuade Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith to change his mind over the legality of the war.

Gordon Brown and David Miliband will give evidence to the inquiry in the next three to four weeks, after which public hearings will be suspended until after the election.

