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Government under pressure to help Iraq War victims families sue Tony Blair

Multimillionaire former Prime Minister's legal fees will all be paid for by the taxpayer

Tony Blair

PENNY-PINCHING defence chiefs were today urged to help families of fallen Iraq veterans sue Tony Blair – after it emerged the former PM’s legal bills will be covered by the taxpayer.

Relatives of dead soldiers have been forced to launch a £150,000 public funding appeal for lawyers to explore taking action against Mr Blair and others in the wake of the Chilcot Report.

As an ex-PM Tony Blair is covered for all court costs under the Cabinet Manual, meaning the taxpayer foots the bill
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As an ex-PM Tony Blair is covered for all court costs under the Cabinet Manual, meaning the taxpayer foots the billCredit: Getty Images
Chilcot blamed Tony Blair's decision to join George W Bush (left) in the Iraq War for creating the jihadi threat in the West
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Chilcot blamed Tony Blair's decision to join George W Bush (left) in the Iraq War for creating the jihadi threat in the WestCredit: Reuters

They said they were “sickened to their stomachs” to discover that multimillionaire Mr Blair would have all his bills paid under Government rules.

It sparked calls from Lib Dem leader Tim Farron for the families to be given public cash too to ensure a level playing field.

Mr Farron said: “The Ministry of Defence should offer help, support and stump up the cash to help the families.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron is calling on defence bosses to stump up the cash to help the families of Iraq War victims sue Tony Blair
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Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron is calling on defence bosses to stump up the cash to help the families of Iraq War victims sue Tony BlairCredit: PA

“We are talking about roughly £150,000.

“We cannot ask the families of our fallen to raid their savings or rely on cash from donations.”

More than £75,000 has already been pledged by members of the public to help families led by Roger Bacon and Reg Keys whose sons were both killed in Iraq.

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That is in contrast to Mr Blair, who is covered for all court costs under the Cabinet Manual which states ex-PMs “are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties”.

Mr Bacon, whose son Matthew was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra in 2005, said: “It is sickening he is indemnified.

Roger Bacon (left) and Reg Keys are leading the fundraising effort launched by relatives of British troops killed in the Iraq War
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Roger Bacon (left) and Reg Keys are leading the fundraising effort launched by relatives of British troops killed in the Iraq WarCredit: PA
Major Matthew Bacon was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra, Iraq, in 2005
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Major Matthew Bacon was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra, Iraq, in 2005Credit: PA
Private Tom Keys was one of six Royal Military Police slaughtered in Majar al-Kabir in 2003
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Private Tom Keys was one of six Royal Military Police slaughtered in Majar al-Kabir in 2003Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

“You feel this in the pit of your stomach.

“We will just have to swallow it - as difficult as it is to swallow.”

And Mr Keys, whose son Tom was one of six Royal Military Police slaughtered by a mob at Majar al-Kabir in 2003, told the : “It is nauseous to think he will have the taxpayer fund him while we are trying to raise funds to sue him.”

It comes after the long-awaited Chilcot Report slammed “wholly inadequate” preparation for the war in Iraq which left troops short of vital kit.

The families of the fallen soldiers have to pay their own legal fees while Tony Blair's costs will be covered by the taxpayer
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The families of the fallen soldiers have to pay their own legal fees while Tony Blair's costs will be covered by the taxpayerCredit: Alamy
Families of British soldiers killed serving in Iraq need to raise £150,000 for lawyers to fully analyse the Chilcot Report
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Families of British soldiers killed serving in Iraq need to raise £150,000 for lawyers to fully analyse the Chilcot ReportCredit: AP

The families of fallen heroes in Iraq want to bring legal proceedings in the High Court against “any state officials who might have acted unlawfully or in excess of their powers” but need £150,000 for lawyers to analyse fully the 2.6 million-word report.

Mr Blair has insisted he acted in good faith based on the intelligence available to him.

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