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No 10 denies Blair inquiry prompt No 10 denies Blair inquiry prompt
(about 1 hour later)
Downing Street has dismissed claims that a decision to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war in private was prompted by pressure from former PM Tony Blair.Downing Street has dismissed claims that a decision to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war in private was prompted by pressure from former PM Tony Blair.
The Observer newspaper says Mr Blair urged Gordon Brown not to hold a public inquiry because he feared being subjected to a "show trial".The Observer newspaper says Mr Blair urged Gordon Brown not to hold a public inquiry because he feared being subjected to a "show trial".
Mr Blair's spokesman denied the claim, and Downing Street said it was "just plain wrong".Mr Blair's spokesman denied the claim, and Downing Street said it was "just plain wrong".
The inquiry will start next month and aims to indentify "lessons learned." The inquiry will start next month and aims to indentify "lessons learned".
When he announced it on Monday the prime minister said the inquiry, chaired by civil servant Sir John Chilcot, would hear evidence in private so witnesses could be "as candid as possible".When he announced it on Monday the prime minister said the inquiry, chaired by civil servant Sir John Chilcot, would hear evidence in private so witnesses could be "as candid as possible".
If this is true... it is simply outrageous that an inquiry into the biggest foreign policy disaster since Suez is being muzzled to suit the individual needs of the man who took us to war - Tony Blair. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg The prime architect of the decision to go to war in Iraq alongside George Bush should give his evidence in public under oath Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg
But following widespread criticism Mr Brown later appeared to backtrack, saying it would be up to Sir John to decide which session of the inquiry could be held in public.But following widespread criticism Mr Brown later appeared to backtrack, saying it would be up to Sir John to decide which session of the inquiry could be held in public.
Before the inquiry was announced, according to the Observer, Mr Blair - who took Britain into the war in 2003 - is said to have put pressure on the prime minister via the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell.Before the inquiry was announced, according to the Observer, Mr Blair - who took Britain into the war in 2003 - is said to have put pressure on the prime minister via the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell.
The paper alleges Mr Blair did not want to give evidence in public, and under oath, about the use of intelligence and secret discussions held with ex-US president George W Bush during the run-up to the conflict.The paper alleges Mr Blair did not want to give evidence in public, and under oath, about the use of intelligence and secret discussions held with ex-US president George W Bush during the run-up to the conflict.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that it appeared Mr Brown had been "dictated to by his predecessor".
Mr Clegg added: "If the inquiry is to have any legitimacy, the prime architect of the decision to go to war in Iraq alongside George Bush should give his evidence in public under oath.
"I think anything less will make people feel this is just a grand cover-up for, after all, what was the biggest foreign policy mistake this country has made since Suez."
Responding to the claims, a spokesman for Mr Blair said: "This is a decision for the current prime minister, not the former one."Responding to the claims, a spokesman for Mr Blair said: "This is a decision for the current prime minister, not the former one."
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We have always been clear that we consulted a number of people before announcing the commencement of the inquiry, including former government figures.A Downing Street spokesman said: "We have always been clear that we consulted a number of people before announcing the commencement of the inquiry, including former government figures.
"We are not going to get into the nature of those discussions.""We are not going to get into the nature of those discussions."
But the spokesman added: ""The prime minister takes full responsibility for the statement he made on Monday. Justice Secretary Jack Straw told the BBC that the government had set up the probe along the lines of the Franks inquiry into the Falklands war, in response to calls from the Conservatives.
"He has asked Sir John Chilcot to come forward with recommendations on how the inquiry should best be conducted, so the suggestion that some in-principle decision has already been taken is just plain wrong." Mr Straw said: "In fairness to Tony, he has given the equivalent of evidence in public scores and scores of time.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "If this is true about Blair demanding secrecy, it is simply outrageous that an inquiry into the biggest foreign policy disaster since Suez is being muzzled to suit the individual needs of the man who took us to war - Tony Blair." "I'm completely comfortable giving most of my evidence in public and I'm sure he is."
On Wednesday the prime minister is due to face a Commons vote on a Conservative motion that evidence given to the Iraq inquiry should be heard in public "whenever possible".On Wednesday the prime minister is due to face a Commons vote on a Conservative motion that evidence given to the Iraq inquiry should be heard in public "whenever possible".