COMMENT

TONY Blair's reputation as a control-freak took a knock yesterday when it was announced that he had appointed the left–wing MP Ann Clwyd as his special envoy to Iraq on human rights questions. Ms Clwyd can claim a rebel's distinction of having been sacked from opposition shadow ministerial jobs by both Neil Kinnock, in 1988, and Tony Blair, in 1995. Her unusual appointment by the Prime Minister stems from two factors: her reputation as a defender of human rights, particularly in countries in trouble, and her outspoken support for the war against Iraq which helped to swing several backbench Labour MPs to the government's side in two crucial debates. Ann Clwyd spoke movingly about her personal knowledge of the plight of countless Iraqis under Saddam Hussein and made clear that in her opinion regime change was justified and urgently needed. The role of special envoys is not always clear and too often they lack the organisational underpinning necessary to get their ideas across in the Whitehall departmental jungle. If Ann Clwyd has direct access to Mr Blair that will make her task easier and she should be able to make a valuable input in an important area. However, it is permissible to reflect on the contrast betwen Mr Blair's recognition of the need for special attention to human rights in Iraq implicit in Ms Clwyd's appointment, and his blindness to the fact that the expert resources which the United Nations has in this field remain to be called upon.