This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8175138.stm
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Iraq war inquiry to be launched | Iraq war inquiry to be launched |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Opposition parties are set to press for the Iraq war inquiry to be held largely in public when the long-awaited probe is officially launched later. | |
| Sir John Chilcot, who is chairing the inquiry, will outline its terms of reference and how it will be conducted. | Sir John Chilcot, who is chairing the inquiry, will outline its terms of reference and how it will be conducted. |
| Gordon Brown initially said it would be held in private for security reasons but then told Sir John he could decide to hold parts in public if he wished. | Gordon Brown initially said it would be held in private for security reasons but then told Sir John he could decide to hold parts in public if he wished. |
| Between 2003 and 2009, 179 British service personnel were killed in Iraq. | Between 2003 and 2009, 179 British service personnel were killed in Iraq. |
| Families views | Families views |
| Opposition parties say any decision to hold sessions in private must be justified and be free of political interference. | Opposition parties say any decision to hold sessions in private must be justified and be free of political interference. |
| The plan to hold it in private was criticised by anti-war campaigners, senior military figures and Labour backbenchers. | The plan to hold it in private was criticised by anti-war campaigners, senior military figures and Labour backbenchers. |
| In a letter to the prime minister last month, Sir John said it was "essential" that as much as of the proceedings were held in public, consistent with national security requirements. | In a letter to the prime minister last month, Sir John said it was "essential" that as much as of the proceedings were held in public, consistent with national security requirements. |
| He has emphasised the need to give the relatives of those who died in Iraq "an early opportunity" to give their views about the nature the inquiry, either in public or private. | He has emphasised the need to give the relatives of those who died in Iraq "an early opportunity" to give their views about the nature the inquiry, either in public or private. |
| INQUIRY MEMBERS Sir John Chilcot (chair)Sir Roderick LyneSir Martin GilbertSir Lawrence FreedmanBaroness Prashar | INQUIRY MEMBERS Sir John Chilcot (chair)Sir Roderick LyneSir Martin GilbertSir Lawrence FreedmanBaroness Prashar |
| Critics say the inquiry will lack credibility if held in secret but ministers argue witnesses must be able to speak freely and if lessons are to be properly learnt. | Critics say the inquiry will lack credibility if held in secret but ministers argue witnesses must be able to speak freely and if lessons are to be properly learnt. |
| The prime minister says the inquiry will be wide-ranging, covering the decisions taken in the run-up to the war, the war itself, and its aftermath. However, he says it will not seek to apportion blame. | The prime minister says the inquiry will be wide-ranging, covering the decisions taken in the run-up to the war, the war itself, and its aftermath. However, he says it will not seek to apportion blame. |
| Sir John has said he will consult with opposition leaders on the format after they expressed concerns that its terms of reference and membership were too narrow. | Sir John has said he will consult with opposition leaders on the format after they expressed concerns that its terms of reference and membership were too narrow. |
| In particular, they are concerned about the lack of anyone with military, intelligence or reconstruction experience on the panel. | In particular, they are concerned about the lack of anyone with military, intelligence or reconstruction experience on the panel. |
| In addition to Sir John, a former civil servant, the panel is made up of former diplomat Sir Roderick Lyne, historians Sir Martin Gilbert and Sir Lawrence Freedman and Baroness Prashar. | In addition to Sir John, a former civil servant, the panel is made up of former diplomat Sir Roderick Lyne, historians Sir Martin Gilbert and Sir Lawrence Freedman and Baroness Prashar. |
| Ministers resisted holding an inquiry until the bulk of British troops had left the country. There are about 150 troops left in Iraqi helping with training and other non-combat tasks. | Ministers resisted holding an inquiry until the bulk of British troops had left the country. There are about 150 troops left in Iraqi helping with training and other non-combat tasks. |
| Key witnesses | Key witnesses |
| Among those who have warned against a private inquiry are Lord Butler, the author of the last official report into the Iraq war, which examined government use of intelligence, in 2004. | Among those who have warned against a private inquiry are Lord Butler, the author of the last official report into the Iraq war, which examined government use of intelligence, in 2004. |
| Previously, the Hutton inquiry had looked into the circumstances surrounding the death of government advisor David Kelly. | Previously, the Hutton inquiry had looked into the circumstances surrounding the death of government advisor David Kelly. |
| Former foreign secretary Jack Straw has said he would give evidence in public and No 10 has said Gordon Brown would also do so as long as it did not compromise national security. | Former foreign secretary Jack Straw has said he would give evidence in public and No 10 has said Gordon Brown would also do so as long as it did not compromise national security. |
| Downing Street and Tony Blair's spokesman have dismissed reports that initial efforts to hold the inquiry in private were prompted by pressure from the ex-prime minister. | Downing Street and Tony Blair's spokesman have dismissed reports that initial efforts to hold the inquiry in private were prompted by pressure from the ex-prime minister. |
| The inquiry is not expected to report until after the general election, which opposition parties say is unacceptable. | The inquiry is not expected to report until after the general election, which opposition parties say is unacceptable. |