Abominable. Blind. Subservient. Ex-President Carter lambasts Blair for support

The former US President Jimmy Carter lambasted Tony Blair for his "blind " support of the Iraq war today, saying it had been a "major tragedy for the world".

Related articles

• Robert Fisk: Blair's lies and linguistic manipulations
• Letters: Labour leadership
• Benn favourite after joining race for deputy leadership
• The truth about PM's 'special relationship' with Bush
• Cameron challenges Brown to a televised debate By Andrew Grice, Political Editor
• Richard Ingrams' Week: Blair can turn Catholic, but will he truly confess?
• Ministers urge Brown to launch Iraq inquiry
• Andrew Grice: The Week In Politics
• No, Blair! America's parting gift to Britain's PM

The outgoing Prime Minister's relationship with President George Bush appeared to have been "subservient" and "abominable", according to Mr Carter.

In an interview for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Carter speculated that Mr Blair could have made a crucial difference to American political and public opinion by distancing himself during the build-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Mr Carter has long been an outspoken critic of the war, and has previously expressed his "disappointment" that Mr Blair did not use his influence more wisely.

His latest salvo came as Mr Blair arrived in Iraq for his final visit as prime minister, having held a valedictory press conference with Mr Bush in Washington where they heaped praise on each other.

Asked how he would describe Mr Blair's attitude to President Bush, Mr Carter replied: "Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world."

Mr Carter condemned the war as "unjustified", and said it had caused "deep schisms" around the globe.

He insisted that if Mr Blair had advised against going to war in 2003 it could have made a crucial difference.

"I can't say it would have made a definitive difference. But it would certainly have assuaged the problems that have arose lately," he said.

"One of the defences of the Bush administration, in America and worldwide - it's not been successful in my opinion - has been that, okay, we must be more correct in our actions than the world thinks because Great Britain is backing us.

"I think the combination of Bush and Blair giving their support to this tragedy in Iraq has strengthened the effort and has made opposition less effective and has prolonged the war and increased the tragedy that has resulted."