49% say Iraq conflict was wrong

Public opposition to the war in Iraq is growing, according to the latest opinion poll today.

The survey by Populus in The Times shows 49 per cent of voters believe the conflict was wrong, with 41 per cent still in favour.

The doubts appear to have been fuelled by the Hutton report and the latest row over what Tony Blair knew or did not know about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Two weeks ago, on the day the Hutton report was published, the percentage of supporters and opponents of the war was almost level.

There was some consolation for Mr Blair, however, in that his own party appears to be lining up behind him. Labour voters, according to the poll, now back the war by a margin of 60 to 33 per cent. But among Conservatives the balance is against the conflict, with 47 per cent opposed and 44 per cent in favour. Liberal Democrats are against by almost three to one.

Some of the Labour MPs opposed to the war were today accused of a "pernicious" campaign to destabilise and destroy Mr Blair. The charge came from former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson, who said a small group in the parliamentary party were "ventilating Tory smears" against Mr Blair's honesty.

Mr Mandelson, in a lecture to be delivered tonight, said he was not directing his fire at those with genuine concerns but criticised others, saying: "They do not seem to care what the cost may prove to be to the party or Government."