Tony Blair Iraq trial blocked by judges
High Court rules 'crime of aggression' cannot be applied to 2003 conflict

A former Iraqi army chief of staff has failed in his bid to prosecute Tony Blair for his role in the Iraq war.
General Abdul Wahed Shannan al-Rabbat accused the former prime minister and two of his ministers, Jack Straw and Lord Goldsmith, of criminal "aggression " during the 2003 Iraq invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
Lawyers were seeking permission from the High Court to seek a judicial review in an attempt to overturn a 2006 House of Lords ruling decreeing there is no such thing as "crime of aggression" under English and Welsh law.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, judges this morning dismissed the application, saying there was no prospect of success.
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd and Mr Justice Ouseley "recognised that a crime of aggression had recently been incorporated into international law, but said it did not apply retroactively", The Guardian reports.
Blair's decision to back the war "tarnished" his reputation, says Sky News, with claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction later proved untrue.
Last summer, the Chilcot inquiry concluded Saddam Hussein had not been an imminent threat and that military action was not the "last resort". While it did not accuse Blair of lying, the report's author, Sir John Chilcot, said this month the former prime minister had not been "not straight with the nation".
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free buses realistic?
Talking Points A transit innovation or a costly mistake
-
5 side hustle ideas to supplement your budget
the explainer Almost two-thirds of Americans are looking to get a second job in the next year
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Taking the low road: why the SNP is still standing strong
Talking Point Party is on track for a fifth consecutive victory in May’s Holyrood election, despite controversies and plummeting support
-
Gaza peace deal: why did Trump succeed where Biden failed?
Today's Big Question As the first stage of a ceasefire begins, Trump’s unique ‘just-get-it-done’ attitude may have proven pivotal to negotiations
-
Five key questions about the Gaza peace deal
The Explainer Many ‘unresolved hurdles’ remain before Donald Trump’s 20-point plan can get the go-ahead
-
Should Tony Blair run Gaza?
Today's Big Question Former PM is a key figure in plans for a post-war Palestine and could take up a formal leadership position
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?
Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans