HL Deb 06 January 2004 vol 657 c31WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they were consulted in advance about the release of photographs of Saddam Hussein's medical examination; and whether they have made representations to the United States Government about the appropriateness of such publication. [HL550]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

UK representatives in the Coalition Provisional Authority were involved in discussions about the release of the images of Saddam Hussein. The view was taken that it was in Iraqi public interest that such images should be released. The aims were to remove any doubt that he was in coalition custody and to reassure Iraqis that they no longer faced the possibility that Saddam would return to terrorise them.