Our Iraq Inquiry blogger looks upon as the Silent Assassin Roderic Lyne strikes again.
A day heavily-draped with political drama, of bitter recriminations but also an impassioned self-defence, a day the nature of which the Inquiry has not seen before nor will likely see again.
Followers of twitter.com/iraqinquiryblog will have realised by now that that day wasn’t today.
But we did learn further details, if not yet the actual date, of Tony Blair’s impending visit to the Iraq War Inquiry, including how you can apply for a ticket to attend in person.
Actually that’s not entirely fair of me – there was a little drama right at the end of today’s session, and true to form it came via Roderic ‘Silent Assassin’ Lyne. The man displays what can only be described as Columbo tendencies in his last minute, ‘Just one more thing’ approach to witness-mugging.
Simon McDonald navigated through almost all his questioning with the ease, less polite types might even say smugness, of a seasoned civil servant accustomed to sailing the stormy seas of Captain Brown’s ship of state.
And then (to horribly mangle my travel metaphors), all of a sudden – as many homebound commuters will be finding this snowy evening – there was trouble on the Lyne.
How, purred Sir Roderic, did McDonald think our involvement in Iraq had affected our standing in the Middle East? And with the European Union? And for that matter – he’d started so he’d finish – The World? Had it improved or worsened the fight against terrorism? Where exactly had it left our dealings with Iran?
The witness looked, quite frankly, a little astounded; the game had abruptly changed from Simon Says to Roderic Rails. His reply gambit to one question – a refusal to speculate – was, frankly, supremely ill-advised.
I’m not asking you to speculate, hissed his inquisitor; I’m asking for your assessment as one of the most senior foreign policy officials in the United Kingdom government. *Ouch*
In conclusion McDonald basically argued that the UK’s strategic relationship with its greatest ally had been strengthened by taking part in the invasion. An uncontroversial claim which even Sir Roderic found hard-pressed to dispute. Although… perhaps… just one more thing?
Evidence from 10h00 tomorrow from MoD and DfID officials and another ambassador to Baghdad. See you then x