UK's Blair defeats opposition call for Iraq probe

[Omaha Steve]

http://reuters.excite.com/article/20061031/2006-10-31T234142Z_01_L31348156_RTRIDST_0_INTERNATIONAL-IRAQ-BRITAIN-DC.html

UK's Blair defeats opposition call for Iraq probe
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Oct 31, 6:41 PM (ET)


By Katherine Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. President George W. Bush's strongest ally in the Iraq war, defeated an opposition bid in parliament on Tuesday to force an inquiry into his handling of the conflict.

But his Labour Party's majority was more than halved to 25 as about a dozen Labour lawmakers rebelled on an issue that has divided the party and the country and eroded Blair's authority.

Opposition politicians said the vote had further weakened the prime minister -- a claim dismissed by ministers -- and promised to continue to push for answers over the war.


Demonstrators from Stop the War Coalition stand outside the Houses of Parliament in London as members of Parliament debate a motion calling for an inquiry into the Iraq war, October 31, 2006. REUTERS/Stephen Hird

"On the political tombstone of this prime minister will be the word Iraq," said Charles Kennedy, former leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, who opposed the war.

FULL story at link above.

[JoFerret]

1. It's closing in on Tony Blur

Anyone see The Queen?

[maddezmom]

2. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2589020