Iraq war was illegal, repeats Clegg

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today restated his view that the Iraq War was illegal, saying: "I don't think the legality of that invasion has been proven."

Mr Clegg stressed it was his personal opinion and said the Government did not have a view on the legality of the war.

Apart from questions over the legality of the conflict, Mr Clegg said the wisdom of the 2003 invasion "certainly hasn't been proven at all".

Mr Clegg voiced his strong opposition to the war last month as he stood in at the Commons despatch box for David Cameron at Prime Minister's Questions.

His position was later disowned by Number 10, which stressed that the Liberal Democrat leader was articulating his "individual" view.

But today, as Mr Clegg was once more "holding the fort" for the holidaying Prime Minister, he repeated his views on the war.

During a public question and answer session in Newcastle Mr Clegg was asked on what basis he had decided the war was illegal.

Mr Clegg replied: "As I said at the time, and I'll repeat again, that was my own personal view, it's not the Government's view.

"The Government doesn't have a view about the legality of the war."

But he continued: "You can turn it on its head - I don't think the legality of that invasion has been proven. The wisdom of it certainly hasn't been proven at all.

"I was then a staunch, staunch opponent of the decision to invade Iraq and I remain a staunch opponent of the decision to invade Iraq."