TONY BLAIR took Britain into war in Iraq before all “peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted,” Sir John Chilcot said yesterday in the damning conclusion to his seven-year inquiry.

Campaigners frustrated by continued delays of the publication date had feared the final report could be an “Establishment whitewash” absolving Blair of major failings.

But the 2.6 million word report finally presented in London, to an audience which included families of the 179 British service people killed, was scathing about decisions taken by both the former PM and military commanders.