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Iraq inquiry 'may last into 2011' Iraq inquiry 'may last into 2011'
(10 minutes later)
The "huge job" of going through vast amounts of material and evidence means the Iraq inquiry could continue into 2011 says chairman Sir John Chilcot.The "huge job" of going through vast amounts of material and evidence means the Iraq inquiry could continue into 2011 says chairman Sir John Chilcot.
Launching the inquiry he said it would be "as open as possible" with hearings televised and streamed online.Launching the inquiry he said it would be "as open as possible" with hearings televised and streamed online.
But he said some hearings would be held in private for national security reasons or to allow "more candour".But he said some hearings would be held in private for national security reasons or to allow "more candour".
Sir John said Tony Blair would be among those asked to give evidence and he did not expect anyone to refuse to do so.Sir John said Tony Blair would be among those asked to give evidence and he did not expect anyone to refuse to do so.
There have been complaints that the inquiry, which will cover events from the summer of 2001 to the end of July 2009, will not report back before the next general election.There have been complaints that the inquiry, which will cover events from the summer of 2001 to the end of July 2009, will not report back before the next general election.
'Historical context''Historical context'
But Sir John said it was "quite simply a huge job" and the panel had to be given sufficient time to do it thoroughly.But Sir John said it was "quite simply a huge job" and the panel had to be given sufficient time to do it thoroughly.
He said he was determined to avoid "a long drawn out inquiry".He said he was determined to avoid "a long drawn out inquiry".
But he added: "A period of as little as a year is not going to be enough. So I think late in 2010 is probably going to be the earliest possibility but I don't at all rule out the possibility we may have to go beyond that."But he added: "A period of as little as a year is not going to be enough. So I think late in 2010 is probably going to be the earliest possibility but I don't at all rule out the possibility we may have to go beyond that."
Frankly I don't expect any witnesses whom we invite to refuse to appear Sir John Chilcot The government must not be able to interfere to keep Blair and Brown out of the spotlight for the sake of political convenience in the run-up to an election Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrats
He said he wanted "as many people" as possible to have access to the hearings - which "includes the possibility of hearings being televised and live streaming on the internet". Transcripts would be available on a special website.He said he wanted "as many people" as possible to have access to the hearings - which "includes the possibility of hearings being televised and live streaming on the internet". Transcripts would be available on a special website.
While the inquiry would cover the eight years from the summer of 2001 to the end of July 2009 it would be put in a "historical context".While the inquiry would cover the eight years from the summer of 2001 to the end of July 2009 it would be put in a "historical context".
Sir John said if, on looking through the evidence, they decided an interim report would be appropriate they would publish one. But he said: "It is more likely... that our report will be a single one at the end of the committee's deliberations."Sir John said if, on looking through the evidence, they decided an interim report would be appropriate they would publish one. But he said: "It is more likely... that our report will be a single one at the end of the committee's deliberations."
First priorityFirst priority
The inquiry's panel has already begun work, making the first requests for government documents.The inquiry's panel has already begun work, making the first requests for government documents.
But the chairman said it could take months to read through the "huge amount" of material and identify issues on which to focus.But the chairman said it could take months to read through the "huge amount" of material and identify issues on which to focus.
Its "first priority" would be to hear from the families of British service personnel killed during the conflict, he said.Its "first priority" would be to hear from the families of British service personnel killed during the conflict, he said.
INQUIRY MEMBERS Sir John Chilcot, former civil servantSir Roderick Lyne, former diplomatSir Martin Gilbert, historianSir Lawrence Freedman, historianBaroness Prashar, crossbench peerINQUIRY MEMBERS Sir John Chilcot, former civil servantSir Roderick Lyne, former diplomatSir Martin Gilbert, historianSir Lawrence Freedman, historianBaroness Prashar, crossbench peer
All documents held by the British government and any British citizen could be called to give evidence, he said.All documents held by the British government and any British citizen could be called to give evidence, he said.
The inquiry panel came in with "open minds" and a determination to "review the evidence independently".The inquiry panel came in with "open minds" and a determination to "review the evidence independently".
He said nobody was "on trial" but the committee would "not shy away from making criticism".He said nobody was "on trial" but the committee would "not shy away from making criticism".
"If we find on going through the evidence that we see ... that people fell short in their duty, made mistakes, acted wrongly, we shall most certainly say so and say so clearly.""If we find on going through the evidence that we see ... that people fell short in their duty, made mistakes, acted wrongly, we shall most certainly say so and say so clearly."
He suggested that key figures - likely to include Tony Blair - would appear towards the end of the inquiry to ensure that they were asked the right questions.He suggested that key figures - likely to include Tony Blair - would appear towards the end of the inquiry to ensure that they were asked the right questions.
'Highly unlikely''Highly unlikely'
Several MPs, including the former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell, had said witnesses should be made to give evidence under oath and there have been questions about whether the inquiry will be able to compel witnesses to attend. Several MPs have said witnesses should be made to give evidence under oath and there have been questions about whether the inquiry will be able to compel witnesses to attend.
Sir John said: "Frankly I don't expect any witnesses whom we invite to refuse to appear - it seems to me highly unlikely."Sir John said: "Frankly I don't expect any witnesses whom we invite to refuse to appear - it seems to me highly unlikely."
He said there was no legal basis, in a non-judicial inquiry, to make people give evidence under oath.He said there was no legal basis, in a non-judicial inquiry, to make people give evidence under oath.
But he added: "If someone were foolish or wicked enough to tell a serious untruth in front of the inquiry like that, their reputation would be destroyed utterly and forever. It won't happen."But he added: "If someone were foolish or wicked enough to tell a serious untruth in front of the inquiry like that, their reputation would be destroyed utterly and forever. It won't happen."
There have already been four inquiries into aspects of the war but critics say there are still questions to answer.There have already been four inquiries into aspects of the war but critics say there are still questions to answer.
Sir Menzies told the BBC earlier: "We have never had a proper inquiry into how it was that government came to reach this decision. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "It is essential that this inquiry has the teeth it needs to get the job done.
"For example how was it that the cabinet was apparently taken along the path towards military action without any kind of resistance except for example from Robin Cook and Clare Short?" "The government must not be able to interfere to keep Blair and Brown out of the spotlight for the sake of political convenience in the run-up to an election.
But Lord Anderson, who chaired the Commons' foreign affairs committee inquiry into the war when he was a Labour MP, said it would be difficult to see "what new evidence can emerge". "Tony Blair ordered this disastrous war and Gordon Brown signed the cheques - without public appearances from them this inquiry will be seen as a whitewash."
Lord Anderson, who chaired the Commons' foreign affairs committee inquiry into the war when he was a Labour MP, said it would be difficult to see "what new evidence can emerge".
He said any "added value" might come from looking at what happened to reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the war.He said any "added value" might come from looking at what happened to reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the war.
Ministers resisted holding an inquiry until the bulk of British troops had left the country. There are about 150 troops left in Iraq 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 Iraq helping with training and other non-combat tasks.
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