As stated in “The Report of the Iraq Inquiry – Executive Summary:” “278. A specially convened [UK] Cabinet at 1600 on 17 March 2003 endorsed the decision that the diplomatic process was now at the end and Saddam Hussein should be give an ultimatum to leave Iraq; and that the House of Commons would be asked to endorse the use of military action against Iraq to enforce compliance, if necessary.
279. In his statement to the House of Commons that evening, MrStraw said that the Government had reluctantly concluded that France’s actions had put a consensus in the Security Council on a further resolution ‘beyond reach’.”
– Commissioned by the Prime Minister The Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP, “The Report of the Iraq Inquiry: Executive Summary,” IraqInquiry.org.uk, March 17, 2003