The growing fiasco comes with a growing understanding that the war was fought on false grounds .... activity".
Because of the tense atmosphere that surrounds the renegotiation of the BBC's Charter, and attempts by Rupert Murdoch's empire to get the government to even further downgrade the role of public service broadcasting to the benefit of BSkyB, the Corporation has run scared in front of Alistair Campbell's onslaught.
In the latter stages of the Inquiry BBC bosses distanced themselves from Andrew Gilligan's reports.
Whatever the precise wording of those reports and especially the most controversial one at 6.07 in the morning (!), he has been consistent in saying that Kelly told him that Alistair Campbell was responsible for 'sexing up' the dodgy dossier.
"Newsnight' science editor Susan Watts told the Inquiry that Kelly had told her it was the Downing Street press office and that .. Kelly said "I take it for granted that this is synonymous with Alistair Campbell".
The net result of all this is that THison wil probably atibute
some blame on Andrew Gilligan and the BBC, by way of being 'even-handed'. Galling though it is to see Campbell's anti-BBC crusade having some success, the overall balance sheet of the Inquiry for the government has been utterly negative. For the Inquiry has gone alongside the crisis in Iraq and increasing evidence of mass resentment - and resistance - towards the Anglo-American occupation.
US soldiers are shot almost daily, and the American military in retaliation carries out reckless and random attacks on civilians. The evidence that the US is preparing to put the Iraqis under the tutelage of its own giant corporations is irrefutable.
Meanwhile the lives of most ordinary Iraqis are dominated by the fight to survive economically, while criminality and violence - especially against women - are endemic.
The growing fiasco and quagmire of the occupation is the background to a growing understanding that the war was fought on false grounds, and that the British people were systematically lied to.
The Hutton Inquiry has shown that loud and dear, day in and day out. It is a disaster for the Blairites.
One fascinating revelation has been that Foreign Secretary Jack Straw argued behind the scenes that British troops should not • MAB
pre-war nervousness is understandable. political calamity. ther defeats for Bush and Blair's militarism. TRA MAR
Mandy Baker paign in Preston had been won by sinking roots into the local community. By proving them. selves as local fighters through consistent anti-war work, Preston SA gained the trust and respect of the local Asian and Muslim community, democracy! We also hope that just as we can learn In this way, as Tommy Sherridan and still low. Around 70 members and supporters of Hackney Socialist Alliance braved a rainy September night to hear Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) representative Tommy Sheridan and Socialist Alliance Councillor Michael Lavelette.
Lavelette told how the election camMuslims behind Lavalette which was reflected in the vote
Since being elected Michael has been tirelessly campaigning - attending surgeries and representing his ward and has been appalled by the complete lack of commitment from the other parties - none of them hold surgeries at all. So much for local
Tommy Sheridan, SSP Member of the Scottish Parliament, gave an insight into the early days before the SSP breakthrough when the then Scottish Socialist Alliance was central to a vast array of local and national campaigns but election results were He explained how long-term consistent work under the SSA/SSP banner, the move to become a broad, inclusive party and a concrete policy development programme made them a far more credible and serious organisation.
The meeting also heard from Geoff Gray who lives in Hackney with his wife Diane. They lost their 17-year old son Geoff two years ago at the notorious Deep Cut Barracks in Aldershot. He, along with four other soidiers, were killed mysteriously at the camp.
The horrors and injustice surrounding
Geoff's death have been harrowing for the family but they have kept up the fight for a public inquiry. Both Hackney Socialist Alliance and Tommy on behalf of the SSP offered their full support to the Grays. More information about the campaign is available in Issue 2 of Hackney Socialist Alliance's newspaper available to download at (http://www.hackneysa.net/alliance.php).
The new Hackney SA paper 'Alliance has taken off a storm. This issue carries articles about SATs, the war, the continued battle against cuts and privatisation in health, housing and education and an update on the effects of the Olympic bid on local people. It's well worth a read and is already causing a stir in the local council. A busy time is ahead for members of Hackney SA. There are newspapers to be delivered, numerous local and national campaigns to be raised and a further "Unity' meeting with George Galloway has beenannounced for November. And of course the Euro and GLA elections that are looming on the not too distant horizon.