Blair demands apology over claims (from BBC and others )

The BBC ^ | Wednesday, 28 January, 2004, 15:18 GMT | staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Blair demands apology over claims

The prime minister feels he is cleared by the inquiry report

Tony Blair has called on those who accused him of lying about Iraq's weapons to withdraw their allegations in the wake of Lord Hutton's report.

Mr Blair said the "real lie" was the claim he had misled the country by falsifying intelligence on weapons of mass destruction or lied to MPs.

Despite the claims being "completely untrue" the BBC had never "clearly and visibly withdrawn this allegation".

"I simply ask... now withdraw it fully, openly and clearly," he said.

The prime minister said the accusations levelled at him by BBC correspondent Andrew Gilligan were extremely serious.

"If true it would have meant that I had misled this House."

The failure to withdraw the claims "has allowed others to say repeatedly I lied and misled Parliament", he said.

For the Tories, Michael Howard said his party too accepted Lord Hutton's report but asked for a wider independent inquiry into the circumstances that led to Britain going to war with Iraq.

'Cabal'

He paid tribute to Dr Kelly whom he said was a "fine public servant".

And he argued that the case for the BBC to be independently regulated had never been stronger.

Mr Howard attacked what he called a "cabal" of ministers

He attacked Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon for his role in the circumstances of the naming of Dr Kelly.

And he said the weapons expert's record of public service was in stark contrast to the conduct of a "cabal" of ministers including Mr Blair.

Mr Howard added: "No-one in the government can look back on this episode with pride - the nation will in due course deliver its verdict."

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said Lord Hutton's inquiry had not been allowed to look into the "most fundamental question" which was why the UK went to war with Iraq.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Here you go!

[Coop]

I hope President Bush publicly follows up on this ASAP.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[adam_az]

Mr Blair said the "real lie" was the claim he had misled the country by falsifying intelligence on weapons of mass destruction or lied to MPs.

Despite the claims being "completely untrue" the BBC had never "clearly and visibly withdrawn this allegation".

The BBC replied,

"Tony Blair is the Great Satan! May your intestines roast in hell, Zionist Infidel, the son of pigs and monkeys! Allahu Akbar!"

[NormsRevenge]

But the media is on our side... ISn't it? ;-]

[b4its2late]

Bump to that!

[Southack]

The BBC's outright fabrications and attacks against Blair have finally been exposed.

The fallout from their ideological misuse of British taxpayer funds (they are funded by a television tax over there) may not be immediate, but it will be substantial.

[Howlin]

FYI.

[smith288]

Tony Blair should know as well as anyone that liberals dont apologize...they blame others.

[mewzilla]

You know, Tony, there's a nice dark, dank, cold Tower not too far from you that's just waiting for some occupants.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this.

This has to be so embarrassing for the lefties in the UK and in America.

When will the NY/LA Slimes and Washington Compost post this demand of Tony's on their front pages?

When will ABCNNBC BS apologize to Tony and GW for their one year of massive lies about Iraq?

Hint, don't hold your breath.

[Grampa Dave]

This may be the quote of the day re this good news:

The BBC replied:

"Tony Blair is the Great Satan! May your intestines roast in hell, Zionist Infidel, the son of pigs and monkeys! Allahu Akbar!"

[BlessedBeGod]

The fallout from their ideological misuse of British taxpayer funds (they are funded by a television tax over there) may not be immediate, but it will be substantial.

We can only hope!

[hoosierboy]

Per fox the chairman of the bbc has just resigned

[martin_fierro]

FOX News just reporting that BBC head has resigned.

[Grampa Dave]

Pikamax, earlier posted an excellent thread on this great news:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1066833/posts

"BBC Management is almost in meltdown at the moment"
DailAblution ^ | 01/28/04 | Scott Burgess


Posted on 01/28/2004 8:31:20 AM PST by Pikamax


January 28, 2004 BBC Management "Almost in Meltdown" Lord Hutton's report into the death of Dr. David Kelly, released this afternoon, has almost completely vindicated Tony Blair and the government, at the same time severely criticising the BBC's reporting and governance.

This is a huge story. Most observers were expecting blame to be apportioned evenly, and the one-sided castigation of the Corporation has come as a big surprise.

The Guardian reports that:

"BBC chairman Gavyn Davies is said to be considering his position after Lord Hutton criticised the BBC in his long awaited report into the death of weapons expert David Kelly. The corporation has flatly denied rumours sweeping Westminster that he has resigned, but one senior insider said the mood at the BBC was 'very grim'." Expect resignations and rolling heads.

Here are some quotes, gathered this afternoon from the radio and the web. More to follow.

"In the end what it comes down to is a judgement by Lord Hutton - who he believes, whose motives he trusts most and in that, again and again, he comes down on the side of politicians and officials, who by and large he believes and whose story, whose narrative he accepts and he comes down against Andrew Gilligan, and journalism, I have to say generally, and against the BBC." BBC Political editor Andrew Marr

The BBC has been "drenched in disgrace and incompetence." Former Defence Minister Lord Gilbert - on The World at One, BBC Radio4

"A grim day for the BBC." BBC Radio 4 2pm News

"Completely unprecedented in the criticism of the BBC Governors' performance of their duty." BBC correspondent Richard Ayers - on BBC Five Live

"The [BBC] Management is almost in meltdown at the moment" Mark Mardell, BBC Chief Political Correspondent - on Radio 4

"Tony Blair couldn't have hoped for anything better." Mark Mardell

"There is no doubt the government has been cleared. Everyone from the prime minister down virtually is cleared of any misbehaviour." Correspondent Jane Peel

BBC Management is expected to reply soon. Stay tuned.

[BlessedBeGod]

You know, Tony, there's a nice dark, dank, cold Tower not too far from you that's just waiting for some occupants.

ROFL! How appropriate!

[sargon]

Fox news has just reported that the head of the BBC has now resigned over this scandal.

[BushisTheMan]

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said Lord Hutton's inquiry had not been allowed to look into the "most fundamental question" which was why the UK went to war with Iraq.

Geez, another Liberal Democrat Kennedy. They are like rabbits and keep multiplying round the world.

The BBC is a Commie newspaper and their funding should be removed. I hope Blair makes that task a top priority.