Gordon Brown should share blame for Iraq war - survey

The majority of the British public believes Prime Minister Gordon Brown should share the blame for the Iraq war with his predecessor Tony Blair, according to a survey yesterday.

The ComRes poll for The Independent newspaper found 60 per cent of 1,001 adults questioned agreed Mr Brown should share responsibility with Mr Blair, while 34 per cent disagreed.

Just over half of Labour supporters agreed, compared with 68 per cent of Conservative voters.

Mr Brown, Chancellor at the time of the 2003 US-led invasion, is due to give evidence to a public inquiry into the Iraq war before an election due by June, a move commentators say could damage Labour at the ballot box.

The decision to go to war has been most associated with Mr Blair. The most controversial episode of his 10-year premiership, the war sapped support for Mr Blair and his party.

But Mr Brown faces criticism for decisions on defence spending which critics say have hampered British operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The poll also found 37 per cent of those questioned between January 29 and 31 believed Mr Blair should be put on trial for going to war in Iraq.