Nation split on Blair “lies”
The nation is split on whether Prime Minister Tony Blair “lied” about his role in authorising the release of Dr David Kelly’s name to the press, according to a new opinion poll
Some 48 per cent were unconvinced that the Prime Minister told the full truth during the Hutton Inquiry into the apparent suicide of Dr David Kelly.
But nearly two-thirds of all voters said Mr Blair should step down if Lord Hutton’s report says was personally involved over the leak.
The poll finds Mr Blair with a depressed personal rating of minus 15 points, with 54 per cent of voters displeased with his performance as leader, compared with 39 per cent who remain satisfied.
Tory leader Michael Howard has a rating of plus 14 points.
But Labour still lead the Conservatives by some five points, with a rating of 39 per cent compared to 34 per cent. The Liberal Democrats are down two on 20 per cent.
The January Guardian/ICM poll also found 53 per cent of respondents believed the Iraq war was justified.
And a majority of voters said Mr Blair should remain in office if Hutton does not conclude that he personally lied.
On tuition fees, two thirds 60 per cent of respondents said they were against the Government’s university funding policy, with 85 per cent saying it would lead to fewer people going to university.
A total 1,007 people were questioned by telephone between January 16 and 18.
