Blair: I've no regrets over decision to fight Saddam

The former Prime Minister was heckled as he left the Iraq Inquiry after six hours of tense questioning during which he said Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had been a "monster" and insisted the world was a safer place without him.

He said he was sorry that the war had been divisive and accepted responsibility for the conflict and the deadly aftermath which left 179 British soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis dead – but unapologetically stood by his decisions.

Asked by inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot whether he had any regrets, he said: "Responsibility, but not a regret for removing Saddam Hussein.

"I think he was a monster, I believe he threatened, not just the region but the world, and in the circumstances we faced then, it was better to deal with this threat, to remove him from office, and I do genuinely believe that the world is safer as a result."

Mr Blair said deciding to go to war was a "huge responsibility then" and added: "There's not a single day that passes by when I don't reflect and think about that responsibility."

His dramatic closing remarks prompted an outburst from one member of the audience and as he left he was branded a "liar" and a "murderer".

Mr Blair said the September 11 attacks in New York were the moment he decided Saddam had to be dealt with.

He denied having made up his mind to go to war in spring 2002, but admitted the so-called "dodgy dossier" should not have been politicised although he insisted he believed "beyond doubt" that intelligence showed Saddam had weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Blair urged critics to "ask the 2010 question" – suggesting the dictator could have posed a huge threat now if he had not been removed.