Tony Blair’s government discussed how to influence John Howard to commit Australian troops to Iraq

Newly released UK cabinet papers from 2005 provide an insight into how the Blair government worked to flatter the Australian PM to influence his decision

Tony Blair's government discussed how to influence" John Howard when it came to committing Australian troops to Iraq after the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime, newly released files in the UK show.

They also reveal that one of Howard's own defence ministers told a Downing Street official that the Australian prime minister was not keen" on sending troops to Afghanistan and privately advised the British leader should raise the issue with Howard to get him focused on the need for Australia to contribute".