Let me propose how the PM was briefed on Iraqi capabilities

Intelligence Briefer: “PM, we have a source that states the Iraqis have chemical and biological weapons that can be used within 45 mins of the order being given.
Prime Minister: “OK that is good enough for me lets go and invade”
IB: “But PM….”
PM: “No buts we have no time to waste.”
IB: “But you need to know…..”
PM: “Geoff, You have anything to say?”
Geoff Hoon: “Nope, I am with you Tone”

We are supposed to be calmed by the fact that the PM was either woefully underinformed or too incompetent to ask any follow up questions.

I am a simple salesman in Scotland but when I heard about the 45 min claim my first question was “What kind of weapons are we talking about?” Nowhere was it mentioned that this was simple mortars and artillery shells.

Now I would expect the PM to be a bit more thorough in his checking up

What do you think Chaffers?

Cheers

BHR

But...if they can bury a Mig in the sand, they could feasibly bury a mobile scud and launcher in the sand. And Cyprus is in range of a Scud missile.

So they could get themselves off the hook with that statement alone.

But they are all a bunch of slimy scumbags. I didn't vote for them.

I thought we were an autonomous collective.

The Mig in question had :

1) a broken canopy window.
2) did not appear to have been sprayed with spraylat (or other protective coating)
3) was buried under large quantities of sand for some time prior to the start of the war.

I strongly suggest the only way it would ever have flown again is if someone piled significant quantities of C4 under it and lit it off!