Tell truth about why we went to war
GRIEVING parents of fallen South Tyneside soldiers are calling on the Iraq Inquiry to give Tony Blair a grilling when he appears before it later this week.
The former Prime Minister faces six hours of questioning on Friday about why Britain invaded Iraq in 2003.
He is likely to be asked about Iraq's supposed armoury of weapons of mass destruction – the pretext for the invasion – and whether he misled Parliament about the reasons for the mission.
Families of fallen war heroes will be watching intently as Mr Blair gives evidence.
South Shields Redcap corporals Simon Miller, 21, and Paul Long, 24, were both killed when they were attacked by a 400-strong Iraqi mob in Al Majar Al-Kabir in 2003.
Cpl Miller's father John and Cpl Long's mother Pat said they hope the inquiry panel gives Mr Blair a "tough time".
Mr Miller said: "I hope Tony Blair will face some hard questions, and no doubt he will.
"I've booked a day off work on Friday, so I can watch everything.
"My concern is what happens after the inquiry? Will action be taken against Tony Blair? I fear not."
Mrs Long, 57, now living in Hebburn, said: "I just want the truth to come out.
"I hope he's honest, but I doubt he will be.
"I don't even want an apology from him because that won't bring our soldiers back.
"I'm sure the panel will give him a tough time."
Thousands of anti-war campaigners are preparing for Mr Blair's appearance at London's Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, close to the Houses of Parliament, by lining up what could be the biggest political demonstration since last year's G20 protests.
Mr Miller has already given evidence to Sir John Chilcot, the former civil servant leading the inquiry, but says he's going to stay away from the inquiry on Friday, and has chosen to watch it on TV at home instead.
He added: "I don't think it would be a good idea for me to go because families will not be allowed to ask him questions. I'd probably be thrown out because I couldn't control myself."
Lord Gold-smith, the former attorney general, is also due to appear before the panel this week.
He is said to have changed his mind just days before the invasion about whether the war would be legal without a further United Nations resolution.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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