The decision was taken by HM Government with the full support of Parliament i.e. including the Opposition. Privy Council Members would have had full access over the intel now considered to have been "dodgy". Was that given with a deliberate intention to mislead, well I don't know but to accuse one member of the Forces as being to blame for taking the Country to War is utter nonsense.
As for the use of Ark Royal during the Iraq invasion, she switched role from a Strike Carrier to LPH with Sea King Baggers also deployed. You may recall the crash of the latter that led to great loss of life.
With the USAF, US Navy, and RAF deployed along with the US Marines there was no need for Ark Royal to add to the mix of air defence and close air support assets already available.
Royal Navy carriers have been able to deploy Air Groups tailored to the requirements of the job and in 2003 that did not require the SHAR. In 1982 the situation was a tad different
