By George Martin For Mailonline
Published: 18:08 GMT, 26 March 2019 | Updated: 18:09 GMT, 26 March 2019
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Labour peer Admiral Lord West of Spithead admitted to prior knowledge of the invasion
A former head of the Royal Navy has revealed he was told Britain would be invading Iraq alongside the US months before the decision was announced, MPs have heard.
In March 2003, as part of a US-led coalition, British forces invaded Iraq under a cloud of political controversy about the legality of military action and amid intense public opposition to the conflict.
Labour peer Admiral Lord West of Spithead made the revelation as he gave evidence before the public administration and constitutional affairs committee on Tuesday, as it examined the role of parliament in the authorisation of the use of military force.
He told MPs: 'I was told as commander-in-chief (fleet) in June, after Camp David meeting, that we would be invading Iraq with America in the beginning of the following year.'
Lord West said he issued a message to the fleet and the Royal Marines to be 'ready for war in the Northern Gulf by December 31', and sent a mine counter measures force fleet to the region.
Promoted to First Sea Lord at the end of August 2002, he said at the Ministry of Defence he was 'amazed to find' people were 'walking back' and saying they were not sure if it was going to happen.
He was giving evidence before the public administration and constitutional affairs committee on Tuesday
'It was quite clear the Government were thinking we have to get Parliament and others
