'Containment through sanctions had been eroding'

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the Iraq inquiry that "containment" of Saddam Hussein's Iraq through sanctions had been "eroding", prior to the decision to invade the country.

He was explaining to the inquiry the different options available for dealing with Saddam Hussein's regime prior to 2003.

Mr Blair is facing questions in public for the first time about taking the UK to war against Iraq.

Sir John Chilcot began the six-hour question session by saying Mr Blair could be recalled to give further evidence if necessary.