New evidence shows No 10 'push to war'

The Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, was at the centre of a deepening row today over his advice on the legality of the Iraq war.

Fresh evidence appears to bear out claims that Downing Street drew up the advice setting out the legal justification for the invasion.

A previously unpublished transcript of Lord Goldsmith's evidence to the Butler Inquiry suggests that a parliamentary statement presented in Lord Goldsmith's name was written for him by two of Tony Blair's closest allies.

Questioned by Lord Butler, the Attorney General admits he "conveyed" his views at a meeting with Lord Falconer and Baroness Morgan, the Prime Minister ' s director of politicalgovernment relations.

Lord Goldsmith continues: "They shortly, of course, set out my view in a parliamentary question."

This evidence appears to contradict Lord Goldsmith's statement yesterday when he flatly denied claims No 10 had played a crucial role in drawing up the legal advice. "It is nonsense to suggest No10 wrote the statement," he said, adding: "It is my genuine and independent view that action was lawful under existing security council resolutions.

"The parliamentary statement was genuinely my own view and I was not leaned on to give that view." The fresh revelations will increase pressure on ministers to release the full advice given by Lord Goldsmith.

A new book by the barrister Philippe Sands claims the Attorney General warned Tony Blair on 7 March 2003 - less than two weeks before the invasion - that military action could be illegal and it

would be safer to have a second resolution.

Opposition MPs want to know why he apparently changed his mind in the parliamentary statement issued in his name on 17 March.

The legal advice was crucial to securing the backing of Labour and Conservative MPs in the Commons vote authorising military action against Saddam Hussein.