Blair 'Heavily Criticised' In Iraq Report

The Iraq Inquiry is poised to deliver damning criticism of Tony Blair's handling of the war, according to reports.

The inquiry will condemn the former prime minister for telling Parliament that intelligence suggesting Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction was "beyond doubt", says the Mail On Sunday.

The paper claims Mr Blair will be criticised for failing to admit to a "secret pledge" to go to war, made to former US president George Bush when they met at a Texas ranch in 2002.

In a report out this autumn Mr Blair will also come under fire for operating a "sofa government" - a small core of key allies that confer away from formal meetings - so cabinet ministers were unaware of vital information.

The report is currently being written by officials, and all witnesses will be given the chance to respond to any inaccuracies.

Mr Blair led the country to war in 2003 in the face of nationwide protests.

His successor, Gordon Brown, set up the Chilcot Inquiry following criticism of previous investigations.

Appearing before the inquiry for the first time in January 29, 2010, Mr Blair vigorously defended the 2003 invasion of Iraq, insisting he had no regrets over removing Saddam and would do the same again.

But critics of the war and families of the 179 British troops who died in the conflict condemned his appearance, saying he evaded the panel's questions and refused to admit his mistakes.

In a second appearance on January 21, 2011 , he was jeered as he said he "deeply and profoundly" regretted the loss of life in the Iraq War.

A spokeswoman for the Chilcot Inquiry declined to comment on what, if any, criticism would be contained it its report.

A spokesman for Mr Blair said: "This is a deliberate attempt to pre-judge a report that hasn't even been written yet. We're not going comment until it has been published."