Tony Blair on need for second UN resolution

A second UN resolution would have made the choice to go to war much easier politically "in every respect", Tony Blair has told the Iraq inquiry.

He said UN resolution 1441 was "strong" but some countries wanted a resolution "specifically mandating action".

He admitted the US timetable for action put serious pressure on the chance to get a second resolution, but backing away once the threat of action had been made would have sent a "bad message" for the rest of the world.