In the Commons yesterday, Tony Blair made another stout defence of the war in Iraq.

However, the prime minister accepted that he had made errors and promised in future to publish intelligence doubts and adopt a more formal Cabinet style for military and foreign policy discussions.

He also announced the speedy implementation of recommendations from last week's Butler report.

Echoing Margaret Thatcher after the Falklands conflict, he said that MPs should rejoice that Iraq had been liberated.

"I still think we made the right decision," he said.

"The intelligence really left little doubt about Saddam Hussein and weapons of mass destruction."

Michael Howard accused him of not being straight with the country.

"Why is it for this prime minister that sorry seems to be hardest word?" he asked.

Blair in turn accused the Tory leader of indulging in opportunism.

"The idea that he or the shadow foreign secretary were in two minds about Iraq, were not quite sure, sat around scratching their heads wondering whether it was a threat or not and then were persuaded by me that it was is absolutely absurd," he said.

Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, said that in the aftermath of the war "we have all witnessed the profound loss of public trust in the prime minister and his government".

Downing Street officials have reportedly confirmed that a Cabinet reshuffle will be held this week.

The move could coincide with the prime minister's decision on who should become the next European commissioner.

Home Office minister Baroness Scotland has been added to the list of possible candidates, alongside former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson - who the Mirror tips for the role.