Cabinet 'waskept fullyinformed'

The Prime Minister insisted he was satisfied that the basis for going to war was legal after hearing advice from the then attorney general Lord Goldsmith.

Although he accepted there was a need to develop “proper structures of decision-making” within Government, he backed the actions of his predecessor Mr Blair.

“I do say that everything that Mr Blair did during this period, he did properly,” he said.

Mr Brown, who stressed he is not an “international lawyer”, said he was satisfied of the legality of the war after hearing Lord Goldsmith’s advice.

“He had a straightforward question to answer. It wasn’t simple but it was straightforward – was it lawful or was it not?” said Mr Brown.

“And he gave an unequivocal answer.”

Mr Brown told the inquiry that he was not involved in discussions with Lord Goldsmith before the legal advice was given.