Downing Street Memo

Guide Note

The Downing Street Memo is a classified 2002 document sent to the British Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street. It discusses U.S plans to invade Iraq, as well as the possibility for U.K. involvement. The memo implies that President George W. Bush was intent upon going to war with Iraq, despite a lack of evidence to justify such an action.

Fast Facts

1. First published: May 1, 2005
2. The memo implied that US intelligence on Iraq prior to the war was falsified
3. Also Known As:
   1. Smoking Gun Memo
   2. Downing Street Minutes
   3. DSM
4. Memo quote:
   • "Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy."¹

• • — Matthew Rycroft

While the authenticity of the memo has never been seriously challenged, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and President George W. Bush have defended themselves against accusations of warmongering. Bush denies that the U.S. was resolved to go to war at the time of the memo, while Blair claims that the United Kingdom's involvement in the war was justified by the United Nations.²