This is a second page of your views
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:
The sooner the Government stops trying to meddle in the affairs of the BBC the better. The longer this goes on the more faith I have in our (BBC) media and less I have in the Government. If all of this was over nothing, where are the WMD and why did our intelligence fail so badly? We were led to war on the basis of there being a clear and present danger which quite simply wasn't there. Answer the real questions Tony and you might regain some credibility!
Brian S. McIntosh, UK
I find it incredible that the BBC is being accused of being anti-war. I found the BBC's coverage during the conflict so sickeningly gung-ho that I could barely bring myself to watch.
Jules, Britain
I think the report was 'sexed up'. But I still have more respect for Bush and Blair for going to war for the wrong reasons (oil), than France for not supporting the war for the wrong reasons. If the Iraqi people end up better off because of the war, I'll never care about whether or not I was lied to.
Louise, Sydney, Australia
Prior to, and at the time of the offensive against Iraq, I believed that BBC reporting was slanted in favour of official US and British views. In this particular case, however, I simply have to support the BBC: anyone who very closely followed the run-up to the war knows perfectly well that some facts - both fabricated and true - were given more prominence to further the case of a conflict, as was denounced in R. Cook's resignation speech. It's a pity the "senior intelligence official" doesn't have the guts to come out and speak publicly. But don't back down, BBC!
Darribehaude, France
Why oh why does it matter anyway? The guy had to be removed from power, look at the thousands of dead discovered and say he should not have been removed from power.
Peter, U.K
Thank god for the BBC. It has restored my faith in the corporation and am pleased and proud of it.
Mark, UK
BBC is perhaps now the most balanced of all Media and I hope the spat does not destroy it's stance. There is no doubt that the mandarins in Washington gave a spin to some hazy "facts". The BBC has been walking tall and is perhaps viewed in most parts of the world for its balanced, non-partisan factual coverage of news. No the government does not need an apology per se but the matter does need to be sorted soon.
K.K. Mohan, India
The danger to civilised society posed by Weapons of Mass Destruction is so enormous that the government was right to fear Iraq given past events (the attack on the Kurds for example). If the report was dressed up at all it will have been because of genuine fear about the consequences of inaction. Tony Blair is responsible for the well being of sixty million people, the media have no such weight on their shoulders.
Kevin, UK
 Probably like many people here, I am on the side of the BBC in this  |
I learned about this row not through the BBC, but through headlines on La Presse, the big French newspaper in Montr�al. Why do you think this story would make headlines in the Qu�bec French-speaking world? Not because of politics in the UK, but because of the war in Iraq issue. Probably like many people here, I am on the side of the BBC in this.
Esther Rochon, Montr�al, Canada A week without John Humphreys has been quite pleasant |
A week without John Humphreys has been quite pleasant - without the guy who thinks he is the most important person in the UK and a week without the BBC making up any more stories to discredit anyone who supported the removal of Saddam has been fantastic!! Wake up BBC and stop trying to be the opposition to the elected government.
Brian Tillotson, UK The BBC Today Programme is one of the few left that will challenge the Government |
The BBC Today Programme is one of the few left that will challenge the Government, ask robust questions and hold those in power accountable. As a long-standing Labour Party member, I say to the BBC: stand by your story and stand by your man !
Pauline Dodwell, England Blair did what had to be done, rather than sit by and watch another country go to the dogs. People were being murdered, living on pitiful rations, no health service, education system. Surely this is reason enough to go into Iraq. Also no evidence was provided that WMD were destroyed, giving them more time to explain, gave them more time to move and hide. That was the only mistake of this war. I'm not a great supporter of Blair (being a student). However hard decisions have to be made every day, and he had to make the hardest of his career, he did what anyone with an ounce of compassion and common sense would have. Blair stood up for what he believed and what I dare to say the majority of the British people believed. As opposed to the loud minority.
Ashley, England
Ashley, do you know what other country in the world has no proper health system for many of its citizens, pitiful education system except for those that can pay for it and where more than 1 in 5 children live in despicable poverty? The USA! Let's not also forget that they have over 10,000 nuclear weapons. So by your standards we now have to invade the US. I really wish that people would stop saying that the war was justified for the reasons that you gave. The fact is, the war was illegal. You either have international law or you don't. You can't just break it every time.
Anon, France
Who do I believe? From experience, the BBC. This government has done nothing but lie to the electorate, and deceive not only the UK, but Europe and the wider world as well. I find it remarkable that government spokespeople, including Blair himself, cry out that the BBC is being insulting and unfair, when this government has been doing that since day one! Physician heal thyself, I say.
Jennifer Hynes, UK
"Blair fury at BBC dossier story" Aren't there more people who think as I do, that the Iraqi war is being marginalized to a fight between Downing Street and the BBC? The BBC is helping Blair to shift the focus from current events in Iraq. You are in other words doing him a favour. I don't know?!! Just remember the fight is in Iraq not at Downing Street and in a BBC office.
Nadia Ferry Yassin, Sweden
I do not believe anymore in Mr Campbell and Prime Minister Blair. They promised a lot but they never delivered anything except spin on education, health and transport. I'll not talk about Iraq. I'm just too angry. As Mr Blair says, it's time in Britain for a change.
Chris, UK
Alastair Campbell is a skilled communicator and not known for being stupid. I'm sure he did not tell direct lies to a Commons select committee. However, he was only answering questions and not necessarily telling the full story. Was he asked if he had any knowledge of the "45 minute readiness" piece of intelligence prior to seeing the dossier and, if so, did he or anyone else prevail upon the authors to include it?
William Price, United Kingdom
I don't believe that the BBC should apologise to any one in this because journalism in this case have no motive to fabricate. Of course every one is happy that Saddam has gone but the true motive for the war is far from convincing .
H. Jaffal, Netherlands
Mr Campbell is by far the most effective government spokesman in history |
This issue has been magnified by the media because Mr Campbell is by far the most effective government spokesman in history. "Spin" isn't new. The past master of "communication" was undoubtedly Churchill, with Wilson and Thatcher in close second place. Obviously any threat posed by Mr Campbell to the (un-elected) powers of the media must be frustrating to journalists who like to rule that particular roost.
Chris Westhead, England Not one of the 11 questions asked by Campbell, as documented in your article today, could be described as an attempt to 'sex-up' the dossier. They are all proper questions to ask about clarity. BBC spokespeople keep referring to their source as 'credible'. The key question for the BBC is not whether it believes (or believed) the source to be credible, but why, in the absence of any corroborating source and evidence - and where all the evidence is to the contrary and all the players have consistently denied that there is any truth to the allegation - why the BBC gave such credibility and prominence to the story, and why has it consistently failed to apologise.
Howard Knight, England
It is time you apologised to him |
Your article about the leaked letter seems to me to support Mr Campbell totally. It is time you apologised to him. I am not a member of any political party.
TLP Watts, UK I can't believe people are still harping on about the lack of evidence of WMD. Do these people not know about the slaughter of the Kurds by chemical weapons? There's no evidence that these weapons were destroyed so one can only assume they are still in existence. They are probably buried in the desert.
Paul Driscoll, UK
The intelligence must be backed up with physical evidence of WMD |
Without the discovery of weapons of mass destruction I must be compelled to side with the BBC. The intelligence must be backed up with physical evidence of WMD, otherwise there must be a full disclosure of the intelligence that rushed the US and UK off to war. We must know that honest debate, particularly over a topic as important as war, was not subverted.
Joe Compagna, USA Blair's government is populated by what we now euphemistically call 'spinners', but used to simply be called liars. From forged documents to plagiarised reports, Blair's "intelligence" is anything but. I applaud the BBC for standing by their principles.
Richard Scott, UK
Alastair Campbell has a point - whether the BBC are right on the weapons dossier issue should become apparent from the investigating MPs report. That report is across a cross section of MPs who are themselves not at the front of this argument. I personally was concerned during the War reporting that the BBC did not examine both sides of the War argument.
Michael Irving, UK
I hope desperately that BBC stands behind the truth and prevents the UK from becoming "a guided democracy" or more bluntly a soft dictatorship such as we enjoy in the U.S. The lies that drove the reinvasion of Iraq are palpable lies, plain to any child who dares yell out that the emperors Blair and Bush have no clothes or integrity. I hope that London does not fall to the level Washington. Stand your ground, BBC. Democracy (or its remnants) here and on your side of the Atlantic desperately needs truth now.
Prof. Thomas J. Nagy, USA
I think the BBC is wrong over this! We seem to have individual "journalists" with personal axes to grind determining the news we read. That ain't right! Alistair Campbell is a known entity and a such is not a danger, the clandestine motives of individual BBC are another matter. Get rid of your uni Fatah neck scarves and grow up please!
Jim Bryden, UK
The truth should never be allowed to censor |
I believe that the BBC has no reason to apologize. From my understanding of this incident, the government is acting like a child caught in a lie. The government should be a reflection of the voice of its people, however when that voice fails to represent its people properly or mislead its people, it is the media's responsibility to inform the public and speak on their behalf. The truth should never be allowed to censored. To do so, would allow the government a free pass to do what it wanted without question. I only wish the media in the United States were as bold and impartial as the BBC.
J Flips, NY, USA The BBC may have made, and I'm sure they will again, mistakes in the past, but politicians have always (since ancient Greece) lied and will continue. Campbell and Blair's argument is similar to Clinton's - "It depends what your definition is". Two of the most important people in GB cannot use argument like this, it is the beginning of the end for Blair.
Bart, England
The vicious attack by Alastair Campbell on the journalistic integrity of the BBC sounds remarkably like the American Attorney General John Mitchell attacking the Washington Post about the Watergate story. If you trust your reporter and sources, don't let this one go. The public has a right to know the whole truth, and it doesn't really matter whether the BBC or the Government is right on this one. Pursue it to the end. I wish there was more courageous reporting on this side of the Atlantic on this story, but the press here seems more easily cowed. Above all, the press cannot allow themselves to be censored by the Government.
Dennis Mercer, United States
It simply couldn't be better! The two most dishonest organisations in The UK calling each other liars! Wonderful and may it long continue. Both Government and the BBC are right of course. They were both trying to manipulate public opinion, but we've all been watching Blair and Humphries at it for so long now, they no longer have the desired effect - get rid of both of them I say!
Guy Stacpoole, England
I believe Alastair Campbell is sincere. I observe that BBC is no longer great in its sincerity to give truthful news. Not so long ago, the BBC was the standard in excellence, but no longer. Now it is the mouthpiece for Labour lefties - what a pity!!! New appointments should be made at the BBC as soon as possible.
M Davies, France
It really doesn't matter who 'sexed up' the reports, Mr. Blair or the intelligence services. It is evident that the claims about WMD and the danger to the world are exaggerated. One way or the other, the British Parliament was mislead in starting a war for the wrong reasons.
Gerard Wolbers, The Netherlands
Campbell is a master of surface structure language. By saying "A mistake was made", gives us some information at a surface level but is the same as saying "the window was broken". The information we really need is deep structure-by whom? why? what allowed it to be so? and much more. Most of Campbell's replies were at a surface level and I did not feel the Committee were sufficiently equipped to ask the questions we needed to answer. A QC would have been a far more appropriate person.
Anon, UK
If the BBC had been a little more patriotic and critical of evil and terrorism, and a little less sycophantic to the anti-war, anti-American and anti-Zionist lobbies then such a stupid row would not have occurred in the first place. What the BBC has done to the Government is not fair and impartial.
LP, England
What does it matter whether some detail of presentation is accurate? What's important is to know whether the country was misled into the war with Iraq. All the evidence I have so far seen before, during and after the war strongly suggests that we were deceived about the true reasons for the war. The alternative explanation is recklessness, equally serious and demanding of an explanation.
John M, Lyne Meads, UK
How appropriate that you should have broadcast Orwell's Animal Farm last week. What a lot of insight he had into the ruthless quest for power and the manipulation of news.
Graham Shelton, England
Campbell is trying an OJ |
Campbell is trying an OJ - he's putting the system on trial. The Beeb, Richard and Andrew are his victims (don't cave!). The truth is out there, is this bullyboy tactic a sign they're really scared of it emerging?
Andy, Birmingham, UK I have finally been able to track down the Andrew Gilligan original interview on the BBC website. Why hasn't it been readily available, given the importance of this dispute, so that we could make our own minds up? I was appalled to hear the ACTUAL interview. No wonder No 10 is angry - this was a direct attack on people's integrity, which now looks to be totally false. Saying that "we were only reporting [unchecked] what someone had said" is no defence whatsoever. I think some people at the BBC will need to resign.
John Anderson, UK
If I were the government, I wouldn't want an apology - I would want to disband the BBC. It is politically biased (usually due to left wing hacks who don't understand what it's like to live in the real world, i.e. the private sector). It cannot be trusted to be objective or even follow its charter by being politically neutral. Disband it now!!!
Anon, England
The BBC has nothing to apologise for. The main argument against the BBC is that it is "traditionally left wing". Even if this were true, it isn't much of an argument. Isn't the Labour party traditionally left wing as well?
Trevor Wenman, England
Both the BBC news team and Alastair Campbell are as bad as each other. They have both distorted the truth so many times in the past and to such an extent that neither can be trusted to provide the public with objective reports that are factually accurate and impartial. Both are more interested in their own personal and politically correct viewpoints than in serving the public as they should.
Stuart Kurz, UK
Who do I believe - the journalist or the spin doctor? How about "Neither"?
John, England
It is refreshing to have BBC reports, given that in this country American policy is accepted unquestionably. At least the BBC forces the government to at least account for itself rather than accept any PR rubbish. Never apologise for questioning the government.
Eamonn Torsney, Ireland (living in Japan)
The burden of proof does not lie with the BBC |
The BBC should not be forced to state whether it believes the allegations made by its source; this would go against its principles of impartiality. They should only apologise if the allegations made by the source are proved to be incorrect. The burden of proof does not lie with the BBC.
Simon, UK Time for the BBC to broadcast the Big Brother version of politics: Help, I'm a Politician - Get Me Out of This. There are some fantastic candidates out there that would make great entertainment.
Anne, UK
I believe Alistair Campbell, because I have noticed in the past, that the BBC is 'sexing up' its own stories rather than just reporting them. BBC journalists are traditionally left wing and the BBC often uses old footages and smartly tailors it in order to 'make' a story.
John Parker, UK
Campbell will be thrown to the wolves |
Straw's evidence makes it appear that as a last resort, Campbell will be thrown to the wolves. The sooner the better in my opinion. In the past I have often thought that the BBC is biased in favour of the status quo; not this time. Truth has ever been a good reason for standing firm! Well done, Auntie.
Anon, UK Maybe if the Conservatives took their role as the opposition seriously the media would not have to be the only ones holding Blair and his inner circle accountable.
Rahul, UK
This sordid squabble has now degenerated into endless repetition of selected words in the wretched dossiers. The intention and integrity of the documents will be lost in endless spin. The truth will never emerge and the public will have to decide how much longer they will tolerate the abysmal state of political affairs in this country.
Ken, England
It's quite clear that however irritatingly he might have phrased it, Campbell is technically correct. Using an "anonymous source" as news in itself rather than as backup to some news isn't very thorough. The BBC should admit it was wrong and restore its fading credibility.
Jamie Milne, UK
The BBC did bow to intimidation |
I naturally believe the BBC rather than Mr Campbell but would like to point out the BBC has to some extent 'asked' for this shameful attack. It is all very nice to say now that No 10 tried to intimidate the BBC in its reporting of the war. The fact is the BBC did bow to intimidation at the time. Its prime time reporting was patriotic in essence. The BBC never showed real pictures of war, as did Al Jazeera; instead, the Corporation became the government's voice and gave us stories on our brave troops and tales of heroism. Had the BBC shown a little more resistance to pressure from No 10 then, No 10 might have thought twice about mounting an attack on the BBC today.
Mary Millard, UK Wow, just look at your support. I do not believe everything you put out nor do I believe everything the government puts out. You people in the media need to remember you are unelected and unaccountable but you believe you are untouchable. Let's face it, you were against it and that was made continually apparent - even though you claim to be objective.
Nigel, UK
This argument is being waged on the wording. It won't change people's ideas on where the truth lies.
Clive, England
Re: the Today programme, 28 June. What a delight to hear Mr Humphrys being shell-shocked by Ben Bradshaw. How often has Mr Humphrys badgered away at one subject; and repeatedly dragged the interviewee back to the matter under discussion? It seems it takes an ex-BBC man to pin him to the wall, and how well he did it. Apology please BBC - it is now overdue.
F Squire, England
I wish to compliment John Humphrys on the conduct of the interview with the MP Bradshaw this morning on the Today programme. I thought Humphrys defended the BBC well against implied threat, serious verbal provocation and typical Downing street double speak.
Eric Smethurst, UK
BBC - apologise, and get back to the real issues |
I am a huge fan of the BBC. I can also see that there are many questions about the British Government's position on the war in Iraq which need answers. So, BBC, go after them and leave this sorry mess behind - Gilligan has provided unattributable briefings from someone who, we're told, doesn't agree with the British government's shading of various intelligence reports. And that adds up to Blair et al being devious? BBC - apologise, and get back to the real issues.
Kantaras, Portugal I've never seen such an arrogant, petulant, stroppy tantrum thrown on TV as Alastair Campbell exhibited on C4 news. He comes across as thinking he's above all the rules! What about the WMD 45 minutes claim made in Parliament? If one source is good enough for them it's good enough for the BBC. What about Tony saying he has more evidence about the WMD but just can't publish it yet. How about that for uncorroborated claims? One huge own goal.
L Carter, UK
This is a difficult one! Who should we believe; an unelected individual whose sole objective is to present issues in the way most favourable to his master, or the BBC? I for one will not waste too much time pondering on the obvious answer.
Doc, England
What's all this "unelected spokesman" rubbish we keep hearing about Campbell? Who is elected at the BBC? Who of the anti-war crowd can honestly say that the BBC wasn't on their side on this from day one?
Cherry Milne, UK
'Are you convinced by Alastair Campbell's explanation?' Did I miss something? So far we haven't had an explanation, just a thinly disguised attempt to avoid making one, using the BBC as a smokescreen.
Justine Bridge, England
I concur with Mr Campbell's opinion on BBC coverage |
I concur with Mr Campbell's opinion on BBC coverage. When watching during the war, I noticed an unprecedented level of bias and lack of objectivity in the reporting. Thank God the UK didn't back Saddam along with France.
Rob Read, U.K. I thought the whole point of having a news source independent from the government was so they could bring things like this to light? Well done the BBC. Mr Campbell's attempt to convince did little more than convince me that they are running scared - if anyone needs to be apologising it's the government.
Cath Tomlinson, UK
He made a very big mistake by attacking your coverage: the trust that the BBC has gained over decades has been boosted, while the frustration with Mr Blair's arrogance is increasing.
Serena, UK
Mr Campbell is on his own. BBC has the whole world backing it. Why should the BBC apologise? No apology; we will lose trust in the BBC if it did.
Firozali A. Mulla Tanzania
He is doing his job to the fullest |
I think this government is amazing. They have managed to use this enquiry to their full benefit. Alastair Campbell is a spin doctor; he is doing his job to the fullest. The government made the decision to go to war against Iraq; they are on trial for 'sexing up' the documents not the BBC.
Sam Darwish, UK We have one of the most centralising, least-accountable governments in Western Europe and it is essential that as a counterbalance to the growing power and antidemocratic tendencies of this government that the BBC holds firm in its views and robustly defends its commentators. If our representatives in parliament will not ask the important questions for us who will? The BBC, of course! Keep it up!
John Eyers, UK
Stay firm BBC and do not be deflected from your duty to be independent. I believe that the government is either attacking you to distract from the real issues, or trying to flush out or frighten the confidential source and stop others coming forward. Do not allow this to happen.
Anthony Simmons, England
Quite clearly this was a well thought out strategy |
Quite clearly this was a well thought out strategy from Alastair Campbell; admit to something which isn't so terrible, then claim that you are being victimised. I think the committee backed off at this stage. They need to invite him back and question him much more vigorously.
Mike, UK I like Alastair Campbell, and could see for the first time what an effective clear thinking performer he is with clever diversionary tactics re BBC. As to the evidence, it is so obvious that misrepresentation/deception did take place. The only real question is who is going to be the scapegoated for this mess?
Jerry, UK
The way that Campbell is trying to dismiss the dodgy dossier as being unimportant is laughable when you consider that they were very happy to have it lauded up by Colin Powell in the UN security council.
Alasdair Day, Switzerland (ex-pat)
Mr Campbell merely serves the interests of his masters in government |
Let us reserve our blame and remember that Mr Campbell merely serves the interests of his masters in government. He has taken the flack in order that it does not land on those who give him his orders and because he is an expert at his game. Should any of us be convinced of anything told to us by a spin doctor? I don't think so.
Frank, UK Mr Campbell is using standard diversionary tactics to shift the blame from himself to the BBC. We the British people, are not fooled by spin anymore.
Paul, Leeds, UK
Having watched Campbell's entire performance before the Select Committee, I feel there are still many unanswered questions. It was totally predictable that Campbell would attempt to turn the tables by attacking the BBC. If this was a court and Campbell a witness, I have to say I would not have found him credible. With the exception of Sir John Stanley, I thought Campbell was never really put under any pressure. The ferocity of New Labour's attack on the BBC only serves to highlight just how close to the truth Andrew Gilligan's piece was.
Ian Ferguson, France
Let the government get on with helping to rebuild Iraq |
Fact: Saddam was a threat to world peace and needed to be removed years ago. Fact: Governments bend the truth all the time. Fact: WMD in Iraq was a possible smoke screen for attacking Iraq. If you are upset by the government's stance on the WMD argument, then welcome to the real world. Now, let the government get on with helping to rebuild Iraq and deliver to the country thee supplies and the infrastructure it now needs.
Nick, UK I'm behind the BBC on this one. The government has tried to wriggle out of its problems, and is now in a mess. The House of Commons debate was about WMD - not about removing an unpleasant dictator - and now they've been shown to have exaggerated the case.
Vic, UK
The investigation smacks of a whitewash |
Campbell may manage to save the immediate day, the BBC always make a convenient scapegoat for the government. Yet in the long run, he has only damaged Blair. However the real issue is that we have a body that is not independent and lacks teeth looking into a matter of crucial importance. The investigation smacks of a whitewash. Increasingly I find that despite being a natural labour supporter, my trust in Blair and his team is deteriorating .
Barry B, UK We remain entirely unconvinced by the spin of an unelected advisor. The BBC has no need to apologise for daring to present a viewpoint Campbell disagreed with. And no, the war was not justified.
Charlotte Harpin, New Zealand
Yes, he's one more reason why people no longer trust the government. But what about the BBC answering his detailed questions line by line? Either you never said the things he has attributed to the BBC, or you have evidence to support them.
James Delphi, UK
Mr Campbell's defence was to attack the BBC William Parsons, United Kingdom |
Well done my BBC. You have done nothing to apologise for. Mr Campbell's defence was to attack the BBC. Tony Blair could well do without his services if he wants to survive.
William Parsons, United Kingdom I am not convinced by A. Campbell. The BBC has a duty to follow an independent line.
Dr John Dinnen, UK
The best form of defence is attack. Campbell is also using diversionary tactics. Me thinks he protests too much!!
Vandra, UK
At issue is the quality of evidence presented to parliament |
At issue is the quality of evidence presented to parliament. That evidence, to my way of thinking, should have been factual. That, and that alone, is the issue being examined by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee - and Straw's admission about the quality of one these dossiers is damning. Whether the BBC has jumped to conclusions or not is about as relevant to this issue as who will be booted out of Big Brother next.
Oliver, UK I for one, don't believe Campbell's explanation nor will I trust him or Blair ever again.
Nick, London, England
There were inconsistencies in his statements |
Campbell has excelled in a diversionary tactics by putting the BBC to account. That surely was not the focus of the enquiry - yet it is now the topic of discussion. The onus surely was to discover the truth. Yet there were inconsistencies in his statements that had not been challenged - that only leaves doubt on the truth of the claims made.
Mike, UK No, I am not convinced. There is enough evidence from Clare Short, Robin Cook and many others for Blair to face serious charges on lies and deception. Don't let this idiot Campbell be his scapegoat.
Conrad Medrano-Konig, UK
Mr Campbell's claims did not constitute evidence but was rather an emphatic denial of certain allegations - very well performed as you would expect by a professional spin doctor at the top of his game.
Ozorek, UK
He's an unelected advisor, nothing more |
The real question is why is Alastair Campbell going to be the one taking the flack over this? He's an unelected advisor, nothing more. While there is no doubt he has a lot of influence, it is down to certain politicians to answer for the diabolical content of the infamous dossier.
Andy, UK The only apology due is from Campbell and the government to the people - for their abuse of power and misleading information.
Joanne, Brit in the US
The sad thing that comes out of this whole sorry mess is that we can no longer rely on either the Government or the media to be truthful. That way lies the death of democracy.
Barry P, England
How can anyone trust whatever else he says? Nakibogo, Uganda, living in US |
I am not convinced by Mr Campbell. He only admitted the plagiarism because he was caught. In universities if a person is caught plagiarising, they are simply expelled. How much more should it be in government? How can anyone trust whatever else he says? He should apologise to the British people instead of trying to throw smoke by accusing the BBC.
Nakibogo, Uganda, living in US How did Mr Campbell intend to "sex up" the dodgy dossier? Was he going to glue in pictures of Saddam in a bikini playing with a chemistry set?
Richard, England
I think Mr Campbell over-egged the pudding and Mr Blair overemphasised the case on the WMD issue. Who appoints the JIC anyway?
Mike, England
It is obvious that the government are attempting to intimidate |
The BBC seems to be in a lose-lose situation; Campbell believes they are biased against the government and the anti-war lobby believe they are biased in favour of the government. Whatever the truth of the matter, it is obvious that the government are attempting to intimidate them into keeping quiet about any future incriminating information.
Marie Collins, London I believe Campbell is just trying to deflect attention away from himself, and from the simple fact that none of these weapons have been found despite weeks of searching. I find it alarming that an unelected person can have so much influence on politics!
Peter Taylor, UK
Why has the BBC not produced other evidence to support the claims made? |
Hiding behind an un-attributable source is not sufficient when the implications of the information passed on by this source are so serious. Why has the BBC not produced other evidence to support the claims made? I believe that the BBC journalistic standards are in question here and the official response is wholly inadequate.
Martin Beattie, UK Mr Campbell used a simple diversionary tactic to draw attention away from the real issues. What's disappointing and surprising is that the BBC has fallen for it hook, line and sinker and is expending so much energy on defending itself and so little on repeating the questions often enough so that the politicians like Campbell are obliged to answer them.
Steve Whittaker, UK
Even the dissenters should now accept that the ends in this case justify the means |
I'm completely convinced by Mr Campbell's evidence. And I do believe your correspondent needs to come clean and admit making a mistake. And yes the war was more than justified. In fact, even the dissenters should now accept that the ends in this case justify the means.
Brian Hunter, England With an endless history of spin and "presentation", can he really expect the benefit of the doubt? And of course he knows that the BBC cannot name its source.
Edwin Stephens, UK
Completely unconvinced. I found the man wholly unconvincing.
Bill Brodie, UK
It's irrelevant whether Saddam had WMD. He did have them in the past and could have easily acquired them again. What is relevant is the need for the liberation of the Iraqi people and the protection of other countries by a change of regime.
Don Allwright, UK
As no WMD have been found it must be that either the Intelligence Services were incompetent or the government mislead us. I am still none the wiser as to which.
Tony, UK
No, I was not convinced by Alastair Campbell's explanation |
When the BBC is not being criticised by the party in power then it is time to worry. Keep up the good work Today Programme. No, I was not convinced by Alastair Campbell's explanation. No, the case for war was not justified and if the BBC apologises to him, one listener will be lost for ever!
Deborah Stokes, Scotland During the Iraq campaign, I was at the beginning amused at the coverage and reporting of and comment by the BBC. I became steadily more and more concerned. It seemed clear that there was a real wish at the BBC for 'things to go wrong'. And yes I believe that the BBC should apologise to Mr Campbell.
J A Woods, UK
I'll be convinced that George Bush and Tony Blair were right and Alastair Campbell too, when - and only when - viable weapons of mass destruction capable of being delivered to the UK at 45 minutes notice are found. That was their claim: let them be judged on that.
S. P. Hamilton, UK
Neither Alastair Campbell nor Tony Blair can get away from the fact that, as the spokespeople for the British government, they are responsible one way or another. Either they 'sexed up' the report, or they didn't bother to check it's authenticity in their rush to sway public opinion. The government's case for war was totally unjustified and no one in the government deserves an apology.
Adele Archer, London
The government have a legitimate complaint |
I have to conclude, reluctantly, that the BBC have got it wrong and the government have a legitimate complaint. What is very worrying is that the BBC seems incapable at present of ever acknowledging their journalists are sometimes wrong. It has, worryingly, been increasingly evident that journalists within the BBC have concentrated on personalising all matters relating to the government and anything remotely political. I have, as a consequence of this affair seriously lost faith in the BBC.
Dave Burchell, UK He is clearly more interested in attacking his opponents (including the BBC no less) than answering the questions put to him.
Pat Holliday, London, UK
Nobody emerges with much credit |
I have no sympathy for Mr Campbell and do feel that he and others were responsible for hyping the evidence. However, I have even less regard for the BBC who have been less than objective in what they have reported. To the Corporation I would say that it is about time you got your act together. Stop pandering to your perception of what the public wishes to hear. To the government I would say that it is about time you owned up to the misinformation you have been peddling. Do admit that you made a mistake - fine, say so and let's get on with life. Frankly the situation in Iraq is a heaving mess - nobody emerges with much credit. Gil Williams
Gil Williams, UK "Nobody emerges with much credit" writes Gil. Look across the Channel!
Mike Cassidy, France (UK)
So, in summary: Saddam is still on the loose, we haven't found the weapons of mass destruction, the government accurately presented the contents of reliable intelligence reports, and presumably we are still 45 minutes away from mass destruction. Or have I missed something?
Nic Oatridge, UK
No, I am not convinced at all |
No, I am not convinced at all. Alastair Campbell's tactics are classic PR ploys when faced with difficult questions - go on the offensive, and divert attention from the matter in hand. He even lectured the media in particular and the population in general for not showing due deference to our politicians.
Jeannette, UK Dead Iraqi civilians: somewhere between 5,570 and 7,423 Iraqi WMD: nil. Questions for Blair & Campbell: 1. Don't you just hate it when you are wrong? 2. Is it a price worth paying to get rid of Saddam? 3. What's a price to get rid of you?
Mark Williams, UK
Alastair Campbell has provided evidence within the only frame of reference he knows: that of a tabloid journalist. And it was in that tradition that he originally presented the so-called dodgy dossier. This document had more to do with the leader columns of Fleet Street's lowest than it had with objective truth or reasoned intelligence. This is what happens when you invite the clowns to run the circus - it's our fault as much as his.
Nick Hing, UK
So what if the reasons for the war were over-inflated to try to get more support |
To say that there was never a threat is extremely naive. Saddam was always a threat. Try saying he wasn't to many of the people living with his regime. So what if the reasons for the war were over-inflated to try to get more support, ultimately the need for change in Iraq was justifiable.
Neil, UK Unless the people who briefed Gilligan appear before the committee it is impossible for anyone to judge who is lying.
Mike, UK
The government used its full powers of persuasion to persuade the country to go to war, rather than being impartial and letting the country or parliament decide. The government were wrong in the facts they presented, and honestly intended or not that must be enough for heads to roll.
John, Edinburgh
Campbell is basically accurate. Most people and that includes journalists, haven't bothered to read the documents concerned, (and the sources.) I have, and recognise that the ONLY real error was the failure to acknowledge a source.
A.D.Williams, UK
So Mr Campbell asks us to trust Mr Blair's reasons for going to war? Nothing to do with trying to make a name for himself in history, and getting a Labour PM talked about in the same manner as Churchill and Thatcher?
Chris W, UK
No, I am definitely not convinced by the "evidence" given by Alastair Campbell. Blaming the BBC just serves to divert attention away from him and to influence newspaper headlines. As usual, he gives lots of spin to the facts, but enough is enough; soldiers have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their lives assuming Iraq was a threat to the western world. I used to be a Labour and Tony Blair supporter; but after all the spin and lies, I have lost all respect for and confidence in this government.
Mark, UK
Sorry, but we are not expected to "trust" Campbell or the PM. Show us where the WMD are. If you need time, take your time. But don't tell us that finding the weapons is not so important. Because if they existed, and if they can't be found, I don't even want to imagine the kind of people that could be holding the Iraqi WMD now. If WMD did not exist, the PM's policy on Iraq should be simply to resign.
Mustafa Yorumcu, UK/Turkey
It really does not matter if the presented evidence was sexed up or not because it was based on assumptions only. No proven facts regarding the WMD. US and British killed thousands of innocent civilians to satisfy their assumptions.
Miklos Nomad, Hungary
Of course I am not convinced, but only the very naive could expect a world without "spin" |
Of course I am not convinced, but only the very naive could expect a world without "spin": it is quite standard at any level above "working level". Further, spin is usually required by the boss, so the blame (if that is the right word) lies with Tony Blair. However, Tony was totally honest in his justification of the war when he said "It is our national interest". All parties agreed with that, and so what we are seeing now is just sour grapes.
C, Markland, NL Simply inserting the word 'terrorists' is surely sufficient proof of 'sexing up' the evidence. The responsibility for trying to con the nation, the UN and our allies is blairingly obvious.
Malcolm Nash, Portugal
Mr Campbell asks if we really so cynical that we think the prime minister would make prior decisions to send our troops into combat. Maybe not, but I am certainly cynical enough to believe that Mr Bush would do so, and also to believe that Mr Blair would send troops in because he agreed that "regime change" was a good thing, rather than because it was necessary to defend our own country.
Rob, UK
Yet again the king of spin tries to wheedle his way out of his lies in a manner that makes Comical Ali sound like a bastion of truth and justice. No matter what Campbell says, he cannot get rid of the stench of lies and falsehoods that dragged us into an immoral and dirty war for oil. Regime change now!!!
Mo Magrey, UK
The people who I would most like to hear are those from the intelligence community whose work has been misused and politicised.
Russ, UK
Alastair Campbell does not convince me at all. The case is fudged and becomes muddier as the days go on. Alastair Campbell is making a mockery of government and he should resign.
Robert Stephens, England
No, we're still taking casualties to protect us from a threat that was never there.
Ian, UK
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Original reports and updates from inquiry
