Tories pulled from Iraq inquiry

LONDON, March 1 (UPI) -- Britain's Conservative Party has pulled out of a high-profile inquiry into intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Tory conservative leader Michael Howard said Monday the Butler inquiry will be "unacceptably restrictive," the BBC reported.

But Jack Straw, Labor's foreign minister, accused Howard of "shameless opportunism."

"Mr. Howard chooses to jump on a passing bandwagon and to flirt with those opposed to the war to win cheap political points," said Straw.

Earlier, Howard said the inquiry should give equal weight to the actions of individuals and not just structures.