Butler Review

On February 3, 2004, the British Government announced an inquiry into the intelligence relating to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction which played a key part in the Government's decision to invade Iraq (as part of the U.S.-led coalition) in 2003. A similar investigation was set up in the USA. Despite the apparent certainty of both governments prior to the war that Iraq possessed such weapons, no such weapons were found, although 'trace evidence' of WMD were uncovered by the Iraq Survey Group.

Related Topics:
British Government - Iraq - Weapons of mass destruction - Similar investigation - USA - Iraq Survey Group

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The inquiry also dealt with the wider issue of WMD programmes in "countries of concern" and the global trade in WMD. Recommendations were made to the prime minister to better evaluate and assess intelligence information in the future before invoking action.

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