Gordon Brown on Iraq War

Regrets not opposing (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Gordon Brown now regrets not opposing the Iraq War, stating he was misled about WMD evidence.

Key Points

He claimed that the US defence department misled the UK over the case for the invasion, specifically regarding WMDs.
As Chancellor in 2003, he publicly supported the UK's involvement, calling the decision the right one for the right reasons.
He revealed that upon taking office in 2007, he planned for the British troops' departure from Iraq before the Americans.

Summary

Gordon Brown, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer during the 2003 invasion, has subsequently expressed regret over his decision to support the military action in Iraq. He has claimed that he, along with the rest of the British government, was misled regarding the existence of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in the country. Brown pointed to a secret US intelligence report from September 2002 which he stated indicated that evidence for WMDs was weak or non-existent, which he only reviewed after leaving office. He suggested that had this evidence been shared, the war could not have been justified as a last resort and the invasion would not have been a proportionate response.

His position evolved significantly from his time in office, when he defended the UK’s involvement as the right decision for the right reasons, even as Chancellor. Upon becoming Prime Minister in 2007, he planned the withdrawal of British troops, eventually pulling them out in April 2009. He has admitted that another official in the government at the time had a clearer view that there were no weapons, and Brown regrets not opposing the former Prime Minister's push for war.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gordon Brown's current position on the Iraq War?

Gordon Brown's current position is one of regret regarding his past support for the invasion. He has stated that he believes he was misled on the critical issue of Weapons of Mass Destruction. He now feels the war could not be justified as a last resort.

Did Gordon Brown support the Iraq War in 2003?

Yes, Gordon Brown publicly supported the decision to join the US-led military action in 2003 while serving as Chancellor. He defended the action at the time, stating it was the right decision for the right reasons. He later expressed regret over this support.

What did Gordon Brown say about the intelligence used for the Iraq War?

He stated that he was misled, like others in government, regarding the existence and capability of WMDs in Iraq. He pointed to a US intelligence report that allegedly challenged the official view, which he now believes was never shared with the British cabinet.