Tony Blair's 'passion' for the 'special relationship'

Former prime minister Tony Blair has told the Iraq inquiry that he is "passionate" about the United Kingdom's diplomatic relationship with the United States.

It is important to appreciate this to understand the decisions he made about Iraq, he said.

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.