CHILCOT REPORT: UNISON STATEMENT

Joint statement from general secretary Dave Prentis and president Eric Roberts

With the publication of the Chilcot inquiry report on Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war, UNISON has commented with a joint statement by general secretary Dave Prentis and president Eric Roberts.

It reads:

“After seven long years, the Chilcot inquiry into the invasion of Iraq has published its report.

“UNISON opposed the invasion, believing that it was both based on the false premise of Iraq holding weapons of mass destruction and was illegal without a vote in the UN Security Council.

“After the invasion, it soon became apparent that neither the UK nor US governments had a post-invasion strategy; leading to years of instability, civil war and terrorism which continue today, 13 years later.

“More people died in the years after than during the invasion itself.

“UNISON expects that those who took the decision to invade, while failing to adequately plan for the future, should be held accountable for their actions.

“The families of British soldiers and the tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians deserve nothing less than justice.”