The families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan addressed the recent protest in London calling for the troops to be brought home

"I wanted to shout out. 'Blair, look at me, you have brought shame on yourself.' I wish I had spoken out"

When Tony Blair appeared at the Chilcot inquiry last week, the families of some of the British soldiers killed in Iraq were there to hear him defend his decision to go to war. Here Reg Keys, whose son was one of six military policemen brutally killed in 2003, writes about the mix of fierce anger and deep sadness he felt as he watched the former Prime Minister

Tony Blair had the Chilcot panel exactly where he wanted them according to Reg Keys Photograph: Alex Sturrock

'I thought I should let you know as soon as possible that you were not successful in either the families draw or subsequently in the main public draw for the spaces in the hearing room for Tony Blair's hearing on 29 January 2010. We have, however, arranged for you to have access to a dedicated additional viewing room reserved for families for the duration of Mr Blair's hearing.'

Video of press conference by Paul Hanes

I have been watching the Iraq Inquiry every day from day one.

The more I hear it the angrier I get.

To me it looks like Tony Blair had his mind set to go into Iraq - he knew there where no WMD but he still went in.

He lied to parliament, he lied to our forces and this country.

I've always said my boy was killed for a lie.

The more that has come out the more I now know its true.

My boy has been let down by Blair, let down by the way he was killed.

My boy had taken the Queen's oath to defend his country. I am so proud of Gordon. When i look at Tony Blair all I can see is a man that lied, anger and hatred.

He says one day god will be his judge. But its the people that are hearing this inquiry that will be his judge.

My boy will be 25 on the 23rd of December and to me the only judge Tony Blair should see is in the courts.

Have a good Xmas Mr Blair

Rose Gentle

The mother of Lance Corporal Joe Glenton has spoken out against the arrest of her son for his public opposition to the war in Afghanistan.

Sue Glenton has condemned the decision of the Ministry of Defence to arrest and imprison Joe yesterday after he attended a national Stop the War demonstration. The soldier faces ten years behind bars.

Sue said: "You've got government ministers, army commanders and MPs speaking every day in support of the war. What's so scary about a Lance Corporal having his say? My son is only speaking out for what he thinks is right."

The Stop the War Coalition has launched a campaign to defend Lance Corporal Joe Glenton and his right to freedom of speech. A protest will be held outside the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall from 5pm on Thursday 12 November.

From the-sauce.org