General calls for Blair to be impeached over Iraq

One of the country's most senior former military commanders has called for Tony Blair to be impeached for sending British troops to join the US -ed invasion of Iraq on "false grounds".

General Sir Michael Rose, who led United Nations forces in Bosnia, said the Prime Minister should not be allowed to "walk away" from misleading Parliament. General Rose, whose disquiet is believed to be shared by a number of present and past members of the military hierarchy, declared Mr Blair's actions had been "disastrous" and that he had hidden the true motive for going to war from Parliament and the public.

The criticism came in a television documentary made by Martin Bell, the former politician, The Failure Of War, to be broadcast this week. General Rose said: "Certainly, from a soldier's perspective, there can't be any more serious decision taken by a Prime Minister than declaring a war.

"And then to go to war on what turns out to be false grounds is something no one should be allowed to walk away from. The politicians should be held to account, and my own view is that Blair should be impeached. That would prevent politicians treating quite so carelessly the subject of taking a country to war." The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "General Rose is entitled to his view."