Blair Says Video Of Saddam Execution "Deplorable"

Tony Blair has backed the Iraqi government's announcement of an inquiry into the circumstances of the execution of Saddam Hussein.

The Prime Minister's spokesman, speaking at a lobby briefing with the press, said that the PM welcomed the Iraqi government's investigation into the leak of video footage, apparently filmed on a mobile phone and seen by millions worldwide on the web and on TV.

Earlier this week, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his views on the matter, saying that the unofficial images of the execution were "deplorable".

See ALSO:
Scoop Video: Saddam Hussein Executed - Iraqi State TV Release (Editor's caution, contains disturbing footage.)
Scoop Video: Leaked video footage of Saddam Hussein's moment of execution (Editor's caution, contains disturbing footage – ADULTS ONLY.)
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Downing Street Press Briefing Follows:

Asked if the Prime Minister had spoken to officials in Iraq or the Iraqi government regarding the planned execution of Saddam Hussein when he was in the country in December the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) referred reporters to the lobby briefings given by the PMOS at the time.

Asked why the Prime Minister could not find the time to condemn the execution of Saddam Hussein, the PMS said that the Government's position, which represented the view of the Prime Minister, was set out very clearly in Margaret Beckett's statement issued at the time. The Foreign Secretary set out that the Government did not support the use of the death penalty in Iraq or anywhere else in the world. Asked about why there was no comment on the way in which the execution was carried out, the PMS said that Iraqi representatives had announced that there would be an inquiry into the manner in which the execution was conducted and this was fully supported by the Government. Asked if it was the Government's hope that any further executions would be conducted with a little more dignity, the PMS said an inquiry had been launched and the Government fully supported this move but it was still a matter for the sovereign Government of Iraq.

Asked if the Prime Minister had confidence in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and if he was the right person to lead Iraq, the PMS said that the Prime Minister fully supported the Prime Minister of Iraq and recognises that he has a very difficult job to do.

Asked if the Prime Minister would support Italy's call for a new initiative by the UN for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, the PMS said that the position on the death penalty was clear and as Margaret Beckett's statement set out, we advocate an end to the death penalty worldwide regardless of the individual or the crime.

Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with everything John Prescott had said regarding the execution, PMS said that John Prescott made clear he was expressing his own view but that we support the Iraqi decision to undertake an inquiry into the manner in which the execution took place. This followed an Iraqi representative stating that certain things went wrong.

Asked if the Prime Minister had seen remarks made by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki saying that he was more or less sorry he took the job on and would not be seeking another term, the PMS said the Prime Minister fully supported the Iraqi Prime Minister in the difficult job he has to do.

Asked what the Prime Minister thought of the idea of a surge in US troops to try and secure Baghdad, the PMS said that she had seen the reports of an anticipated announcement, but until such an announcement was made she was not going to comment.

Asked if any consideration here had been given to increase British troop numbers, the PMS said that the policy on UK troops in Iraq was as set out by the Prime Minister when he was in the region in December.

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