Chilcot report: Politicians and public react to Iraq War report on Twitter
Thousands have taken to social media to react to the Chilcot report after a seven-year wait.
Sir John Chilcot has delivered the findings of his inquiry into the 2003 Iraq War. The report has taken seven years to be released and the final text contains 2.6 million words.
During his statement, Chilcot announced that his findings revealed that British forces had been committed to the invasion of Iraq "before peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted".
It also noted that military action was not the "last resort" at the time and that former Prime Minister Tony Blair's argument for going to war was based on "flawed intelligence" that was "not challenged" but "should have been".
Chilcot has been trending nationwide for hours, as thousands of people take to Twitter to react to the long-awaited findings. Ahead of the report being released, the hashtag #ChilcotLastLine was trending as many took to social media to come up with creative guesses as to what the last line of the Chilcot report might be.
Most of the responses were humorous, but the mood on social media changed once the report was released. Following Chilcot's statement, many were quick to comment on the damning inquiry evidence.
IBTimes UK rounds up reactions from politicians and the general public in the hours after the Chilcot report was released. Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, Caroline Lucas and George Galloway are among those airing their views.
Politicians react...
We must now consider what political or legal consequences are appropriate for those responsible. #Chilcothttps://t.co/CVZcJBnkEu
— Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) 6 July 2016
As a local Cllr I used to reckon the longer the document the more there was something in it the author wanted to hide. Just saying. #Chilcot
— Suzanne Evans (@SuzanneEvans1) July 6, 2016
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) July 6, 2016
I didn't support the Iraq War but I will at least read the executive summary of Chilcot's report before passing judgement on its contents!
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) July 6, 2016
We knew the intelligence was flawed after first 46 minutes. Serious question: what have we learned that is new?
— adrian mcmenamin (@adrianmcmenamin) July 6, 2016
Personally, I am never going to regret supporting the removal of a genocidal mass murderer. https://t.co/OPnarU9gwU
— adrian mcmenamin (@adrianmcmenamin) July 6, 2016
So why was I really in Basra? #ChilcotReport pic.twitter.com/bk4BvCIGcV
— James Heappey MP (@JSHeappey) July 6, 2016
Watching the #ChilcotReport - pretty damning conclusions.
— Ben Howlett MP (@ben4bath) July 6, 2016
Premature, predetermined and without a plan, the Chilcot report confirms what most people had concluded years ago
— Justin Madders MP (@justinmadders) July 6, 2016
This demonstrates that the decision to go to war was pre-determined even though Blair told Parliament otherwise https://t.co/KxdrR2Kh63
— Adam Price (@_Adam_Price) July 6, 2016
The reason for the Labour coup v Corbyn now clear #Chilcot
— Jonathan Edwards (@JonathanPlaid) July 6, 2016
#chilcot a disaster for Blair.Sexed up case for war;undermined authoirity of UN Security Council;did not exhaust all peaceful options B4 war
— Jonathan Edwards (@JonathanPlaid) July 6, 2016
So far this shows a trail of distortions, exaggerations, coverups, subterfuge and lies. Just wow! #Chilcot
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) July 6, 2016
Blair had no interest in a peaceful settlement. He was determined to go to war. #Chilcot https://t.co/s7xgk4J8F3
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) July 6, 2016
Early indications are #ChilcottReport looks to be detailed, thorough and a proper job of work.
— Rob Wilson MP (@RobWilson_RDG) July 6, 2016
Conclusions of Chilcott Report shocking already.
— Rob Wilson MP (@RobWilson_RDG) July 6, 2016
#Chilcot damning. War not last resort, based on flawed, unchallenged intel and unsatisfactory legal decisions. 1/3
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) 6 July 2016
2/3 'I'll be with you whatever' Blair to Bush commitment also suggests pre-determination and lack of proper decision making
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) 6 July 2016
2/3 'I'll be with you whatever' Blair to Bush commitment also suggests pre-determination and lack of proper decision making
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) 6 July 2016
In 2003, my view was that the case for war had not been made and I voted accordingly. https://t.co/LgItdb9j6w
— Ian Lucas (@IanCLucas) 6 July 2016
T Blair maintains he has nothing to apologise for. If this record isn't one which warrants an apology, it's difficult to think what is [4/4]
— Frank Field MP (@frankfieldteam) 6 July 2016
"I will be with you, whatever" Blair to Bush in 2002. Something that Labour have always denied.
— Andrew Stephenson MP (@Andrew4Pendle) 6 July 2016
If #Chilcot fails today the tottering edifice that is Britain will be fundamentally damaged perhaps fatally. We can't absorb much more
— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) July 6, 2016
100s of thousands dead, a region destabilised, dangerous radicalisation round the world, a foreign policy disaster. Today's #Chilcot
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) July 6, 2016
Amid all the noise today let us not forget the many thousands of Iraqi civilians and 179 British troops killed by the Iraq War. #Chilcot
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) July 6, 2016
The public reacts...
Chilcot is so damning I genuinely don't even know where to begin.
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) July 6, 2016
This is all probably stronger and more damning than many of us expected #Chilcot
— Cristina Nicolotti S (@newsgirlc5news) July 6, 2016
Such a shame Charles Kennedy isn't here to see this. He was right in 2003. #Chilcot #IraqInquiry
— Sam Willey (@SamWiseSW) July 6, 2016
This is genuinely remarkable: looks like #Chilcot isn't going to be a whitewash after all. It may actually have been worth the wait.
— Tom Gauterin (@Ruralmaestro) July 6, 2016
Semi-naked Blair portrait took a day and a half, the amazing political satire artist Kaya Mar told me #Chilcot pic.twitter.com/0PcKb5z2Oj
— Lamiat Sabin (@LamiatSabin) July 6, 2016
Photo editors: having problems deciding on which pic to splash across your #Chilcot headlines? Look no further pic.twitter.com/2T3AXDINIs
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) July 6, 2016
Not just Blair. Every single one of them that voted for Iraq war should be prosecuted. #Chilcot https://t.co/cxAKmYCV85
— EU PROJECT FEAR (@LiarMPs) 6 July 2016
I always wondered what this chilling quote from Bush adviser Karl Rove meant in practice. Now we know #Chilcot pic.twitter.com/yMqNQ8hsGy
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) 6 July 2016
Between them, voters in #EUreferendum and Sir John #Chilcot have shaken the establishment of this country to its core in the last 12 days
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) 6 July 2016
I never thought I would hear myself say this, but that was worth waiting 7 years for. #Chilcot
— GeorgeMonbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) 6 July 2016
Light-hearted reactions...
Has Jeremy Corbyn commented on #Chilcot yet? pic.twitter.com/GdAMNQageH
— Emer Sugrue (@EmerSugrue) July 6, 2016
Going to get #Chilcot to negotiate with the EU. That should delay #Brexit by about twenty years.
— Elizabeth Windsor (@Queen_UK) July 6, 2016
It's not even 6:30 AM yet here... #Chilcot pic.twitter.com/QW3s5uziTK
— Crispin Burke (@CrispinBurke) July 6, 2016
Blair: "I will be with you whatever." The West was being run by Thelma and Louise. #Chilcot
— Tim Stanley (@timothy_stanley) July 6, 2016
#TonyBlair will be wishing that #Chilcot report had been eaten by his dog last night! pic.twitter.com/Hi3nppVdlQ
— Stephen McCord (@mcc_ss) July 6, 2016
Oscar Chiltorious, two whitewashes in one day. #Chilcot
— Semtex (@patchzac) July 6, 2016
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