in Iraq in the coming weeks, the memo said. The president spoke as if an invasion was unavoidable. The two leaders discussed a timetable for the war, details of the military campaign and plans for the aftermath of the war. The memo also says the president raised three possible ways of provoking a confrontation, including the most controversial: "The U.S. was thinking of flying U2 reconnaissance aircraft with fighter cover over Iraq, painted in U.N. colours," the memo says, attributing the idea to Mr. Bush. "If Saddam fired on them, he would be in breach". His close relationship with the Prime Minister suggests he has been a key figure in driving British foreign policy in respect of the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks and the decision to invade Iraq. On 30 November 2009, Manning gave evidence to The Iraq Inquiry. Later life He was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) in the 2008 New Year Honours. Manning retired from HM Diplomatic Service in January 2008. Six months later, he joined BG Group (formerly British Gas plc) on a part-time basis at a reported annual salary of £80,000. In 2008 he became a non-executive director of Lockheed Martin and joined the advisory board of Hakluyt & Company, an intelligence company partly staffed by former SIS officers. At the beginning of 2009, Manning was appointed by the Queen to a "part-time, advisory role" in the newly formed household of Prince William and Prince Harry. Manning has been elected to the Council of Lloyd's as an external member. In 2010 Manning formed Gatehouse Advisory Partners Limited in partnership with Sir Jeremy Greenstock. Gatehouse works with organisations to factor geopolitics into their decision making. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in the 2015 New Year Honours. Posts held 1972: entered Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1972–1974: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mexico/Central America Department) 1974–1977: Warsaw, Poland (3rd later 2nd Secretary) 1977–1980: New Delhi, India (2nd later 1st Secretary) 1980–1982: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Soviet Department) 1982–1984: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Deputy Head of Policy Planning Department) 1984–1988: Paris, France (1st Secretary) 1988–1990: Counsellor on loan to Cabinet Office 1990–1993: Moscow, Russia (Counsellor, Head of Chancery) 1993–1994: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Head of Eastern Department) 1994: UK member of Contact Group on Bosnia (International Conference on