Are MPs planning to impeach Blair? We need more than a newspaper’s word on it
![Tony Blair addressing troops in Basra, Iraq, during his time as prime minister [Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA].](https://voxpoliticalonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/160523-blair-troops.jpg)
Tony Blair addressing troops in Basra, Iraq, during his time as prime minister [Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA].
So this Independent piece about cross-party support for an ‘Article of Impeachment’ is meaningless, as no MP willing to take it forward is directly named.
This Writer’s paranoia suggests that it may be, at least in part, a ploy to lull supporters of Jeremy Corbyn – who want Tony Blair to face ‘war crimes’ charges – into believing that this will happen whether Mr Corbyn remains Labour leader or not.
With speculative stories like this, it’s best to believe them only after they come true.
A number of MPs are seeking to impeach former prime minister Tony Blair using an ancient Parliamentary law.
The move, which has cross-party support, could be launched in the aftermath of the Chilcot Inquiry report because of the Labour leader’s alleged role in misleading Parliament over the Iraq War.
A number of MPs are seeking to impeach former prime minister Tony Blair using an ancient Parliamentary law.
The move, which has cross-party support, could be launched in the aftermath of the Chilcot Inquiry report because of the Labour leader’s alleged role in misleading Parliament over the Iraq War.
Not used since 1806, when Tory minister Lord Melville was charged for misappropriating official funds, the law is seen in Westminster as an alternative form of punishment if, as believed, Mr Blair will escape serious criticism in the Chilcot Inquiry report.
Triggering the process simply requires an MP to propose a motion, and support evidence as part of a document called the Article of Impeachment.
If the impeachment attempt is approved by MPs, the defendant is delivered to Black Rod ahead of a trial.
A simple majority is required to convict, at which point a sentence can be passed, which could, in theory, involve Mr Blair being sent to prison.
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I’ve already read somewhere but can’t find the article, that the ICC has made it known it will not be pursuing charges against Blair himself but may be going after other involved in the illegal war in Iraq. Will send URL if I manage to find article.
His HM apartment awaits him….will smell a bit compared to the luxury of his many current homes that he and his family now own. Probably off balance sheet or off shore.