Hmm.

I didn’t really have much time to watch today, what with trying to finish the new novel and so on. However, what I did see seemed unduly collegial. Moreover, there was an awful lot of stuff about how Saddam had successfully deceived UNSCOM, and how he was trying jolly hard to get weapons of mass destruction.

Seriously, I kid you not. We’re back with how it was all but certain at the time that WMDs were on the menu for Saddam, and he was a real military risk and we were all going to be bombed with fairy dust and flying cows anthrax. [If you've forgotten about the world's most elusive nukes, allow me to refresh your memory.]

WMDs will apparently be tomorrow’s topic. I just hope it doesn’t go like this:

Question: at the time, with the limited information available to you and the obviously very serious responsibility you had, did you feel there was a reasonable argument to be made that Saddam Hussein wanted and could obtain weapons of mass destruction?

Answer: Yes.

Question: well, I think that’s conclusive. Thank you very much.

I also devoutly hope that when the committee starts to talk about sensitive issues which could theoretically lead to war crimes charges, they don’t immediately grant immunity to everyone who might be charged. Because I would regard that as an abdication of legitimacy.

You can follow the inquiry – the bits you’re allowed to see, that is – here.