A HONITON man, who was assured that Saddam Hussein s weapons of mass destruction were ready within 45 minutes of an order to use them and that the Prime Minister has made clear the threat is current and serious , has submitted evidence to the Iraq Inq

A HONITON man, who was assured that Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction were "ready within 45 minutes of an order to use them" and that "the Prime Minister has made clear the threat is current and serious", has submitted evidence to the Iraq Inquiry.

Tony Simpson (pictured), of Ashleigh Road, says he wrote to Tony Blair and had a reply, using these words, on October 24, 2002.

He formed a delegation and went to see his MP, who believed Mr Blair and voted for the war.

"I was far from convinced, after hearing Dr Hans Blix, of the UN Weapons Inspection Team," Mr Simpson told the Herald.

"My wife and I went on the biggest demonstration this country has ever had, which Tony Blair totally ignored. So much for democracy.

"We feel Mr Blair not only misled Parliament but misled and ignored the people. Chilcott is our chance to ensure Mr Blair faces the people and provides evidence or admits he was wrong."

Mr Simpson added: "Thousands have died and lost their homes, including many children.

"Many service people have been killed and injured, believing we were threatened by Saddam --a dictator, but without weapons of mass destruction and certainly not the threat Mr Blair described."

Mr Simpson has asked Sir John Chilcott if it is correct for Sir Lawrence Freeman to serve on the panel, since he drafted a speech for Tony Blair supporting military action against people like Saddam.

Speaking in the week that Mr Blair is expected to answer questions at the inquiry, Mr Simpson said: "We must know the truth and Tony Blair must face the music. I hope there is no whitewash or evasion and we can move on from a tragic war our young service people should never have fought.