Iraq derails Labour business manifesto

ATTEMPTS by Labour to unveil details of its business manifesto in the City today came to grief after the Press conference was taken over by questions on Iraq.

Labour unveiled its business manifesto with a pledge to increase training opportunities and apprenticeships for young people looking to get into the workforce.

At a presentation in the City, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer shared a podium to outline plans for the next term of office, should Labour win the General Election.

But efforts by Blair and Brown to urge Britons to think of the economy when they cast their votes next week were sidetracked by repeated questioning about Iraq and controversy over the advice given to the Government by the Attorney General.

A confidential minute sent to the Prime Minister less than two weeks before the Iraq war which said that it could be declared illegal was leaked last night, reigniting debate over Blair's honesty.

While he tried to present the latest plank in the Government's re-election campaign with the launch of Labour's business manifesto, journalists at a press briefing questioned the Prime Minister on the evidence that led to the decision for war and the exact nature of the Attorney-General's advice.