Be more upbeat on Iraq war, Campbell told defence chief

Tony Blair's former spin chief Alastair Campbell told the head of Britain's armed forces to be less negative about the Iraq war, it emerged today.

Lord Boyce, the former Chief of Defence Staff, revealed Mr Campbell had asked him to take a more upbeat stance on preparations for the invasion in March 2003.

The admiral told the Iraq iInquiry yesterday that he had been "taken aside from time to time and asked to make more of a glass half-full rather than half-empty assessment".

He didn't name the individual during the hearings, but has now confirmed to the Financial Times that he was approached by Mr Campbell.

Lord Boyce has said former defence secretary Geoff Hoon prevented him ordering new equipment for the troops preparing for the war. The inquiry will today hear evidence on the preparations from former MoD chiefs Anthony Piggott and David Wilson.