Free Republic

"UK diplomats launch mass attack on Blair policy" was the title covering the letter published by 52 former British ambassadors criticising the Prime Minister's policy in Iraq and alleged subservience to the United States. Other jubilant headlines proclaimed this as the "Revolt of the Establishment". The fact that the letter was not signed by a couple of hundred other former ambassadors, including this one, was thought scarcely worthy of mention. This was because most of us have an allergy to acting as if we were members of a trade union. For that and other reasons, we have never been tempted...

Some of the most prominent former diplomats who condemned Tony Blair's policies in the Middle East have business links with Arab governments, The Telegraph can reveal. In a letter published last week, 52 former British diplomats condemned the invasion of Iraq and the Government's support for Israel. The letter failed to disclose, however, that several of the key signatories, including Oliver Miles, the former British ambassador to Libya who instigated the letter, are paid by pro-Arab organisations. Some of the others hold positions in companies seeking lucrative Middle East contracts, while others have unpaid positions with pro-Arab organisations. The disclosure...