As the 10th anniversary of the 2003 Iraq invasion approaches, The Huffington Post UK is hosting a debate asking 'Was It Worth It?'.

Our panellists include: former cabinet minister Clare Short, Tory MP Bernard Jenkin, Times columnist David Aaronovitch, the Independent's Owen Jones, Mehdi Hasan, Dr Ali Latif, chair of the Iraqi Prospects Organisation, novelist Haifa Zangana and Shiraz Maher from King's College London.

Follow our liveblog below to watch the debate unfold from Goldsmiths College, and join in on the discussion using the Twitter hashtag #HPIraq10.

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The debate may be over here - but it's still raging on Twitter
@ huseyinkishi : In Aug 2007, an opinion poll asked should US and other Coalition forces remain in Iraq - 47% said leave now http://t.co/VteI8WCf #hpiraq10

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The debate in full swing

huffington post gv

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Owen Jones at the podium

owen jones iraq debate

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What a debate

The audience is filing out, there's lots of chatter. I think we might have started something here.

Time now though to take a look back at some pictures from the night

huff post deabate david aaronovitch

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@ vipviphooray : @HuffPostUK #HPIRAQ10 @mehdihasan Iraq invasion: "worse than a blunder, it was a crime".

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Mehdi closes the debate after getting quite noisy:

"What we are directly responsible for is the hundreds of thousands of people that have lost their lives"

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A Moral Abomination

We left Iraq with our tail between our legs but we should never have been their in the first place...it was a moral abomination, Mehdi says

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Mehdi says

The war in Iraq was the best recruiting tool that extremists could ever have dreamed of

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Mehdi Hasan is our last speaker

I approached 60 well known hawks and invited them to participate and a lot of hair was being washed tonight. They've worked out that here is not much to defend in the bloody war.

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Shiraz wraps up

Iraq is not perfect today, Iraq may not be perfect tomorrow. But what Iraq has is hope."

Loudest applause yet for a pro-war debater.

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Shiraz Maher says

"Yes human rights abuses still exist and yes the infrastructure is devastated, and if it means I don't have electricity 24 hours a day to replace Saddam, I think it's a small price to pay."

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#HPIraq10 is at the top of Twitter
@ PeteAustin_ : Whether you agree with him or not, @DAaronovitch is so far the most engaging speaker #hpiraq10 (no pressure @owenjones84 @mehdirhasan...)

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Shiraz Maher is up now

Go and talk to the Kurds who now enjoy great freedom and instability in Iraq, and you will find the answer, he says.

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Owen Jones closes to loud applause

"Iraq is 150th in the world freedom index and one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.

"They were wrong about the WMDs, they were wrong about the human cost. And they were wrong about Iraq becoming a flourishing democracy

"Only 30% of Iraqis say they're better off.

"Tens of thousands of Iraqis died, 4,500 US soldiers - for what, to disarm a country that had already been disarmed?

"Ten years on I will say this: We have to learn the lessons and we have to make sure this will never happen again."

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@ alicma : . @Owenjones84 by far the strongest speaker so far, but out of necessity, he appears to be self chairing #hpiraq10

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Owen Jones: The anti war movement was proved to be right

Owen Jones' comment has angered Aaronovitch who has asked is Iraq in a state of civil war now?

Owen says it was in such a state before the 2003 invasion.

He goes onto quote figures that show 2012 was one of the most violent years in Iraq in recent history.

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Some Saddam facts
@ MsIntervention : Saddam killed 100,00+ Kurds, ordered execution of 600,000 civilians, responsible for deaths of 1m+ people in Iran & Kuwait wars. #hpiraq10

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Owen Jones now takes the stage

Here's another shot of the debate:

iraq war debate gv

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Aaronovitch:

He says the unfortunate legacy of the Iraq war has been that It has left us so reluctant to take further action that in ten years we will be debating:

"Syria: not intervening: Was it worth it?"

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Aaronovitch is quoting the late Dr David Kelly about his comments on weapons on mass destruction in Iraq.

He's interjected by Mehdi Hasan who goes back to a quote Aaronovitch said at the time: "If nothing is eventually found, I... will never believe another thing that I am told by our government"

David says he later admitted that wasn't the right thing to say.

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Aaronovitch is going back to the Iran/Iraq war and the invasion of Kuwait, listing Saddam Hussein's actions.

There are scales and scales of authoritarianism and Saddam was down the Hitler/Pol Pot/Stalin end of the scale, he says.

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David Aaronovitch takes the mic

He starts off explaining why he took the "other side" of the Iraq debate.

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Who cares about Iraqis?

"I don't giva damn if Iraqis have more cell phones, I care that lives are being lost," Mehdi Hasan says - audience responds well.

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Are you anti war or are you anti-Western?

Member asks Clare Short

She says the argument hear is that all the sectarian and killing that came later wasn't the result of the war. I'm saying that it's one of the Geneva conventions that forces try and keep the peace after they've gone in

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@ MrPartisan : At least Iraqis knew where they stood under Saddam. On a gallows, if they spoke out of turn. #hpiraq10

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An Iraqi audience member is angry at the words of Haifa

"I see the suffering you are talking about, but I also see the progress," he says.

"My uncle was killed Saddam Hussein, my mother had to escape.. the fact you whitewash over that.. it's a disgrace"

Haifa responds: Before the war, there was no al Qaeda. Occupation fed extremism. We have to understand what is happening.

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Pictures from inside the debate

Our picture editor Elliot Wagland has been busy putting together pictures of the debate:

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  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

  • Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Morre

    Iraq 10 Years On: Was It Worth It? Debate From Goldsmiths College Pictures: Jeff Moore

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Angry member ejected
@ MisterSouter : First victim of Iraq debate, angry man escorted out by security #hpiraq10

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An Audience member says:

I think it's a tragedy to talk about whether Saddam is good or bad. he cites a guardian cartoon that showed Jack Straw being asked 'how do you know Saddam has all these weapons? He replies: I have the invoice with me'.

Loud applause.

It's crocodile tears when we say Saddam was bad. We should hold Blair and others as criminals and take them to the court in The Hague

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Jenkin responds:

"The West is not covered in glory with its relations with Saddam Hussein, but Iraq is better off than it would be if Saddam had stayed"

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