Zia Yusuf tears into ‘war criminal’ Alistair Campbell in brutal BBC Question Time dressing down

Also appearing on the show were Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds.

The exchange began during a discussion of the economy, when Ms Cooper suggested the UK should bolster its economy by joining the European Union Customs Union and the Single Market.

Mr Yusuf rebuffed the suggestion, noting that the British economy had grown faster than several EU countries despite the promise of Brexit being “betrayed by a Conga line of incompetent Tory Prime Ministers”.

But Mr Campbell, who now hosts the Rest is Politics podcast with former Conservative Minister Rory Stewart, hit back at the Reform UK member.

He said Brexit was the “real betrayal”, adding that its advocates have “never been held accountable” and “have never apologised”.

After the host interrupted the pair, an audience member asked whether Andy Burnham was “playing with fire” by opening up the possibility of allowing free movement with the EU.

Mr Yusuf then delivered a devastating reply to Sir Tony’s right-hand man.

He said: “I do have to address the fact that Alastair Campbell is calling other people liars and saying they don’t take accountability when, as far as I remember, you were the person who presented a dossier to the British people claiming Saddam Hussein could launch weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes.

“We now know there were no WMDs of any sort.

“You deceived the British people because you and your old boss Tony Blair wanted to go to war with Iraq, and as a direct result of your deception, Alastair, almost 180 British troops and 600,000 Iraqi civilians are dead.”

He continued: “You have told one of the most consequential lies in the history of this country.

“There are people who are watching this – when you described yourself as a natural treasure, they would more aptly describe you as a war criminal, and if there was any justice, you and your old boss Tony would be on trial.”

The BBC audience broke out in applause at the remarks.

Mr Campbell released the September dossier in 2002, and the Iraq dossier in February 2003, suggesting that Saddam Hussein harboured both chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction.

Subsequent investigations into Iraq found no evidence of a WMD stockpile.

Defending himself, Mr Campbell said: “Six inquiries, cleared by every single one of them. A general election held after the war with Saddam Hussein – Tony Blair re-elected.

“Brexit has taken six to eight per cent out of our economy.”

Several inquiries cleared Sir Tony’s Government of wrongdoing, but the scrutiny forced Mr Campbell to resign from Government at the time.