Blair defeats opposition call for Iraq probe

[Barrett808]

Blair defeats opposition call for Iraq probe
By Katherine Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. President George W. Bush's strongest ally in the Iraq war, defeated an opposition bid in parliament on Tuesday to force an inquiry into his handling of the conflict.

But his Labour Party's majority was cut to 25 from more than 60 as some Labour lawmakers rebelled on an issue that has divided the party, the country and eroded Blair's authority.

Losing the vote would have increased pressure on Blair to reassess his Iraq strategy at a time when politicians and even the head of the army have questioned the point of having troops there.

Seeking to avert what would have been a damaging defeat, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett raised the possibility of holding an inquiry into the Iraq war once UK troops were home.

"I have no doubt that there will come a time when we want to look at the lessons learned from our full experience in Iraq," Beckett told parliament. "But now ... is not that time."

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061031/ts_nm/iraq_britain_dc

[saigon68]

1. POODLE BLAIR

[LynnTheDem]

2. WHATCHA HIDING, bLIAR?

Anyone not hiding something would have been all too agreeable to such an investigation.

So...WHATCHA HIDING, bLIAR?

[Cha]

3. Toady Blur is covering up his

handling of the War On Iraq! :wow: