Falconer, Bush and Mubarak all speak as Blair remains mute

Lord Falconer has highlighted Blair's isolation even more - regarding the execution of Saddam - by publicly saying that he found the circumstances surrounding the execution "deplorable".

Speaking on the World at One on BBC Radio 4, Lord Falconer said it was for the Iraqi courts to decide what should happen and what Saddam Hussein's penalty should be.

But he added: "I think, like the deputy prime minister, that the circumstances of what we saw on the films and the publication of those films was deplorable". Asked why the Prime Minister had refused to comment, Lord Falconer said that was a matter for Mr Blair.

The Lord Chancellor stressed his personal view was that the circumstances of the filming and "what we saw" were "very unfortunate".

Blair remains silent regarding the event which has enraged many Labour MP's. Indeed, even George Bush has broken his silence on the subject.

Mr Bush said on Friday: "I wish, obviously that the proceedings had gone in a more dignified way.

"But my personal reaction is that Saddam Hussein was given a trial that he was unwilling to give the thousands of people he killed."

It was the first time the president had spoken on the controversial execution. The White House had previously been reluctant to comment.

Indeed, even Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has waded in saying that the circumstances surrounding the hanging has turned Saddam into a martyr.

Mr Mubarak said the unofficial pictures that emerged of the event were revolting and barbaric.

Of course, this follows the statement from the Deputy Prime Minister saying that those involved "should be ashamed of themselves", leaving Blair looking shamefully at odds with the mood of the party he supposedly leads.

Mr Blair said he would speak next week about "all those other issues".

Speaking on a tour of a heart hospital in London, he said: "I'll find a way to talk about it but not today. I want to concentrate on the NHS."

He's only had since last Saturday to think of a formulation. I think Menzies Campbell sums it up best of all when he says, "The prime minister's silence is more eloquent than anything he might have said."

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tag: Blair, Saddam Hussein, execution, hanging, death penalty