TONY Blair continues to justify the Iraq war, though not now on the grounds of weapons of mass destruction.

Now he talks about the benefit of ridding Iraq of Saddam Hussein and his reign of terror and bringing democracy and freedom.

Yet Mr Blair is on record as saying before the war that he was prepared to leave Saddam in power with a conventional army with conventional weapons if the dictator co-operated on weapons of mass destruction.

So, Mr Blair was prepared to leave Saddam in power to continue to repress his people, yet now claims the fact of Saddam's removal as justification for the war.

He can't have it both ways.

Rocco van Zyl,

Walney Road, York.

...THE Butler Report highlights failings but sidesteps crucial points and exonerates anyone from taking responsibility.

Mr Blair was faced with difficult decisions but did he have to align himself so strongly to a US President so determined to go to war?

A Prime Minister should only commit troops to a conflict under the gravest of circumstances. All this war has done is destabilise Iraq and intensify more terrorist activity towards the West.

Nick Fletcher,

Langton Road,

Norton, Malton.

...NO doubt to great sighs of relief from Downing Street, what the Butler saw was that there had been no dodgy dealings in Downing Street.

Lord Butler, in what is often referred to as the "blame culture", found no individual was to blame. While this may be reassuring for Tony Blair, others will take the view that it pays to appoint the right man as chairman, and set appropriate terms of reference. Then you can achieve a desirable outcome.

Richard Lamb,

Greystoke Road, York.

...IS it really possible that the CIA and MI5 could make the same mistakes over the weapons of mass destruction issue in Iraq, or is someone trying to jointly pull the wool over our eyes?

Pray, tell me when the US and UK elections are again?

John Ward,

Pinfold Terrace,

Tollerton, York.

Updated: 10:15 Saturday, July 17, 2004