THE refusal of the Government to publish the legal opinion of the Attorney General over the Iraq war is difficult to understand.

If that opinion were a robust defence of the legality of the military action, surely we would be able to read it.

As it is, one can only conclude that we have been involved in an unjust, legally suspect invasion, premised on palpably inaccurate military intelligence.

We should not accept that the invasion was the only solution to the Iraq situation. It was of course the preferred one of the US administration, and so it would seem, of Mr. Blair. The caveats on the military intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction were ignored, and the legal opinion of the Attorney General mysteriously changed in pursuit of Mr Blair's policy.

The influence of these two factors on the willingness of Parliament to sanction the motion for war cannot be overestimated. They are not just procedural matters, but go to the heart of the way Mr Blair uses power.

I have infinite regard for the Armed Services and their undoubted courage, but feel strongly that their political masters should be called upon to account for the war that has caused their losses, and those of un-numbered Iraqis.

This must be a central question in the minds of voters when an election is called.

PJ Combie,

Albemarle Road,

York.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, April 04, 2005