In more recent times, Robin Cook resigned over the Iraq War in a statement that earned him a standing ovation in the House of Commons.

BBC: How do you have an honourable resignation?

Robin Cook has gone from being a cold war Soviet apologist, to an even more ridiculous figure, strutting his stuff on the international stage, without reticence, subtlety or tact.

BBC: News | UK Politics | John Maples speech in full

Former UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who quit over the issue of war against Iraq, has also re-entered the debate.

CNN: War of words over Iraqi weapons

During the Second World War, he travelled to Europe as a cook for the British Army.

NEWYORKER: The Conciliator

Robin Cook, the most senior minister to resign over the war, wrote an article in the Sunday Mirror on March 30th, calling for British troops to be brought home before more are killed.

ECONOMIST: Those awkward hearts and minds

Cook even delves into a mystery dating from the last days of World War II, when Allied pilots reported seeing UFOs over Germany.

FORBES: Newton's Laws, Upended

His ministerial career came to an end, however, when, along with Robin Cook and Lord Hunt, and resigned from the government over the decision to go to war in Iraq.

BBC: John Denham

"Even with these investments, we can maintain a war chest for strategic opportunities and have plenty of cash to run our business, " Mr. Cook said Monday.

WSJ: Apple to Pay Dividend, Plans $10 Billion Buyback

As Charlie Cook, a veteran observer of politics, remarks, if Mr Kerry, who voted against the first Iraq war, had done the same with the second one, Dr Dean would still be an asterisk now and Mr Kerry the front-runner.

ECONOMIST: Howard Dean