Blair: 'Elements of truth' Iraq War led to rise of Islamic State
Former prime minister Tony Blair 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".
When asked by host Fareed Zakaria if the Iraq War was "the principal cause" of the rise of Islamic State", he conceded: "I think there are elements of truth in that."
"Of course you can't say those of us who removed Saddam in 2003 bear no responsibility for the situation in 2015," he added.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister accused the former prime minister of participating in a "spin operation" to prepare the ground for criticisms that may surface from the Chilcot Inquiry.
Meanwhile, Reg Keys, father of British serviceman Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, who killed during the Iraq conflict, told ITV Central the former Prime Minister had a "lot of apologising yet to be done".
Mr Keys added that "the buck stops with Number 10 Downing Street", adding "it's not good enough" to blame intelligence chiefs.
Peter Brierley, whose son Lance Corporal Shaun Brierley also died in Iraq, told ITV Calendar he had been "waiting to hear" an apology for the conflict, but added: "Unfortunately I don't believe he's actually sorry."
A spokeswoman for Mr Blair insisted he had said nothing that had not been "said before".
The long-delayed Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq War sill has no publication date and family members of soldiers killed in the conflict have threatened legal action if it is not released soon.
Six years ago, Gordon Brown commissioned the Chilcot Inquiry with an assurance that it would take no longer than a year. The process has been delayed due "Maxwellisation" - where those named and criticised in the report have a right to respond prior to publication.