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The greater problem, as Sceats and many others argue, lay in the failure of the court to maintain its independence.

The chief trial judge resigned earlier this year citing unbearable political interference. Nouri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister, and a Shia, who has done little to rein in Shia militias pursuing Sunnis, was confidently predicting a guilty verdict weeks ago. Now that the verdict has been delivered — and if it is upheld on appeal — what will it do for Iraq’s stability? If it has any benefit at all, it will be because it will remove for ever the dreams of some Sunnis that, one day, Saddam might come back and restore them to their dominance of the country.

As the turmoil in Iraq has deepened, that Sunni dream has got stronger, however far-fetched it might seem outside the country. While the one man who recently managed to suppress the country’s feuding was still alive, the possibility remained, they hoped, that he would return.

But it seems more likely that the verdict will fuel the sectarian rift: by confirming to Sunnis, as they see it, that they cannot rely on the new Government for justice; and by encouraging militant Shia groups to persecute Sunnis, knowing that their supremacy is now unchallenged.

It is not surprising that the failings of the trial reflect the deep weaknesses and prejudices of the new Iraqi Government. The verdict is no surprise, but the way in which it was reached is likely to be yet more cause for division rather than, as originally hoped, a cause for reconciliation.

WORLD REACTION

“It’s a good day for the Iraqi people”

Tony Snow, White House spokesman

“He is facing the punishment he deserves”

Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s Prime Minister

“I welcome that Saddam Hussein and the other defendants have faced justice and have been held to account for their crimes . . . Appalling crimes were committed by Saddam Hussein’s regime. It is right that those accused of such crimes against the Iraqi people should face Iraqi justice”

Margaret Beckett, Foreign Secretary

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