Did Blair ignore legal advice on Iraq war?

LONDON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The former attorney general for the British government told London's Iraq war inquiry that former Prime Minister Tony Blair contradicted his legal advice.

Peter Goldsmith, who served as attorney general during the Blair administration, issued a written statement to the war inquiry in which he said he was "uncomfortable" with public statements made by Blair.

Goldsmith last year testified that he told British authorities in a 2002 letter that invading Iraq on the premise of self-defense and humanitarianism was "no basis" for military action.

Blair had said he would consider actions outside of a U.N. mandate on Iraq even if French envoys tried to veto the use of military force in the run up to the war. Goldsmith told the inquiry in his written statement that he was uncomfortable with Blair's statements, adding he didn't "think there was any doubt about my view."

The former attorney general testified last year that he felt the use of military force in Iraq was a violation of international law at first but backed from that assessment when asked for a definitive opinion just prior to the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.

The inquiry last year heard that Blair during his administration was warned by Goldsmith, however, that going to war with Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein was illegal.

Blair returns for a second round of testimony before the inquiry Friday.