Peter Brierley: Blair should be tried as a war criminal

The father of a soldier killed in the war in Iraq says that former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, should be tried as a war criminal for his role in the conflict.

Peter Brierley, from Batley, West Yorkshire, whose son, Lance Corporal Shaun Brierley, died in 2003, believes Blair is trying to head off criticism of his handling of the conflict.

Brierley has previously confronted Tony Blair, accusing him of having blood on his hands from his role in the conflict.

The former Prime Minister has conceded there are "elements of truth" to the accusation the Iraq War led to the rise of Islamic State, as he once again defended the 2003 invasion.

He also apologised "for some of the mistakes" made in respect to the war, which led to the toppling of Saddam Hussein.

In an interview with CNN, Mr Blair expressed regret over false intelligence suggesting the country had weapons of mass destruction, which was used as a justification for the action.

He also conceded there was a failure to adequately plan for the aftermath of the war.

But he insisted: "I find hard to apologise for removing Saddam. I think, even from today in 2015, it is better that he's not there than that he is there".

A spokeswoman for Mr Blair insisted he had said nothing that had not been "said before".

The families of soldiers killed during the conflict have threatened legal action if the long-delayed Chilcot Inquiry is not released soon.