Former US President Jimmy Carter lambasted Tony Blair for his “blind” support of the Iraq war today, saying it had been a “major tragedy for the world”.
The outgoing British Prime Minister’s relationship with US President George Bush appeared to have been “subservient” and “abominable”, according to Mr Carter.
In an interview for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Carter speculated that Mr Blair could have made a crucial difference to American political and public opinion by distancing himself during the build-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Mr Carter has long been an outspoken critic of the war, and has previously expressed his “disappointment” that Mr Blair did not use his influence more wisely.
His latest salvo came as Mr Blair arrived in Iraq for his final visit as prime minister, having held a valedictory press conference with Mr Bush in Washington where they heaped praise on each other.