Ex-Prime British Minister Tony Blair Begins Iraq Evidence

Describing the Government's attitude to Iraq before 9/11, Mr Blair said: "We were doing our best and hoping for the best but with a different calculus of the risk."

His testimony is expected to be the highlight of the Chilcot inquiry.

Mr Blair managed to avoid protesters outside the venue, entering by a cordoned off rear entrance.

Today's inquiry audience will include family members of soldiers and civilians killed or missing in the country.

Mr Blair is expected to be quizzed about accusations that he and his inner circle were so determined to topple Saddam Hussein that they exaggerated intelligence reports about Iraqi weapons and pressured the then-Attorney General to conclude that the invasion would not be a violation of international law.

Mr Blair, who has been called "Bush's poodle", will also be questioned about whether he gave the US President an early assurance that British troops would join the invasion without consulting Parliament or the public.