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Iraq war inquiry hearings begin Inquiry focusing on Iraq 'threat'
(about 1 hour later)
The Iraq war inquiry's public hearings have begun in London with top civil servants and a former spy chief giving evidence on the conflict's origins. The UK government "distanced itself" from talk of removing Saddam Hussein in early 2001 despite concerns about his threat, the Iraq inquiry has been told.
The investigation, looking at the whole period from 2001 to 2009, is expected to last months, with a report not out until after the next general election. Sir Peter Ricketts, a top intelligence official at the time, said it was assumed it was not "our policy" despite growing talk in the US about the move.
Former civil servants and advisers are giving evidence on the war's origins on the first day of public hearings.
The inquiry chairman said he hoped to conclude his report in late 2010.
The war resulted in the deaths of 179 UK forces personnel.
Clear threat
The long-awaited investigation, looking at the UK's involvement in the run-up to the Iraq invasion, the war itself and its aftermath, is expected to last many months.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be among the future witnesses.Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be among the future witnesses.
Tuesday's session looks at UK foreign policy towards Iraq in the lead-up to the war, which began in 2003. Tuesday's session is looking at UK foreign policy towards Iraq in the lead-up to the war, which began in 2003.
WITNESSES ON TUESDAY Sir Michael Wood: Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office (1999-2006)Sir Peter Ricketts: Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (2000-2001)Simon Webb: Policy Director, MoD (2001-2004)Sir William Patey: Head of Middle East Department, Foreign Office (1999-2002) Q&A: Iraq war inquiry
Asked about the threat posed by Iraq in early 2001, Sir Peter Ricketts, who was the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee - which oversees MI5, MI6 and GCHQ - said it was palpable.
He said there was a "clear impression" of Saddam's "continuing intention" to acquire capability for weapons of mass destruction.
However, Sir Peter said there was no-one in the UK government in early 2001 "promoting support" for regime change, as it was assumed "it was not our policy that we were seeking the removal of Saddam Hussein".
He noted there were "voices" in Washington calling for Saddam Hussein to be removed even before the Bush administration came to power in early 2001 - including its subsequent Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice - and the "rhetoric" increased after that point.
But he said there was not any "operational consequence" from this and that, prior to the 9/11 attacks, the US was still seeking to make its longstanding policy of containment towards Iraq work.
However, he said it was becoming clear the containment policy - underpinned by sanctions, an arms embargo and no-fly zone - was failing and the international community must try to "regain the initiative" with regard to Iraq.
"Saddam Hussein was feeling pretty comfortable," he said.
Others giving evidence on Tuesday are former senior Ministry of Defence official Simon Webb and ex-Foreign Office officials Sir Michael Wood and Sir William Patey.
'Open mind''Open mind'
The long-awaited inquiry began with a statement from its chairman, Sir John Chilcot.The long-awaited inquiry began with a statement from its chairman, Sir John Chilcot.
INQUIRY TIMELINE November-December: Former top civil servants, spy chiefs, diplomats and military commanders to give evidenceJanuary-February 2010: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and other politicians expected to appear before the panel March 2010: Inquiry expected to adjourn ahead of the general election campaignJuly-August 2010: Inquiry expected to resumeReport set to be published in late 2010 or early 2011
He stressed that the panel was apolitical and had an "open mind" about the UK's involvement in the Iraq conflict and its aftermath.He stressed that the panel was apolitical and had an "open mind" about the UK's involvement in the Iraq conflict and its aftermath.
WITNESSES ON TUESDAY Sir Michael Wood: Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office (1999-2006)Sir Peter Ricketts: Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (2000-2001)Simon Webb: Policy Director, MoD (2001-2004)Sir William Patey: Head of Middle East Department, Foreign Office (1999-2002) Q&A: Iraq war inquiry
He said it was the panel's job to "establish" what happened in Iraq - "to evaluate what went well and what did not - and crucially why" - so that lessons could be learned.He said it was the panel's job to "establish" what happened in Iraq - "to evaluate what went well and what did not - and crucially why" - so that lessons could be learned.
He said he intended to produce a report which was "thorough, impartial, objective and fair", stressing that it would not hold back from criticising institutions and individuals where this was "warranted".He said he intended to produce a report which was "thorough, impartial, objective and fair", stressing that it would not hold back from criticising institutions and individuals where this was "warranted".
While most hearings would be held in public, Sir John said he reserved the right to conduct sessions in private where issues directly affecting national security were addressed.While most hearings would be held in public, Sir John said he reserved the right to conduct sessions in private where issues directly affecting national security were addressed.
The inquiry is hearing on Tuesday from Sir Peter Ricketts, who was the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee - which oversees MI5, MI6 and GCHQ - from 2000 to 2001.
In early 2001, he said the UK and US agreed their policy of trying to contain Iraq - underpinned by sanctions, an arms embargo and no-fly zone - was failing and they must try to "regain the initiative".
"Saddam Hussein was feeling pretty comfortable," he said of the situation at the time.
He noted there were "voices" in Washington calling for Saddam Hussein to be removed even before the Bush administration came to power in early 2001 and that the "rhetoric" about this possibility increased after that.
But he said there was not any "operational consequence" from this and that, prior to the 9/11 attacks, the US was still seeking to try and make the containment policy work and sanctions more effective.
Others giving evidence are former senior Ministry of Defence official Simon Webb and ex-Foreign Office officials Sir Michael Wood and Sir William Patey.
Controversial dossierControversial dossier
The members of the inquiry's committee were chosen by Downing Street, leading critics to ask whether it can be independent of the government.The members of the inquiry's committee were chosen by Downing Street, leading critics to ask whether it can be independent of the government.
Sir John has insisted the inquiry will not produce a "whitewash" but critics have expressed concern about the lack of legal experts on the panel and the fact witnesses will not be questioned on oath.Sir John has insisted the inquiry will not produce a "whitewash" but critics have expressed concern about the lack of legal experts on the panel and the fact witnesses will not be questioned on oath.
INQUIRY TIMELINE November-December: Former top civil servants, spy chiefs, diplomats and military commanders to give evidenceJanuary-February 2010: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and other politicians expected to appear before the panel March 2010: Inquiry expected to adjourn ahead of the general election campaignJuly-August 2010: Inquiry expected to resumeReport set to be published in late 2010 or early 2011
On Wednesday, the panel will hear from former senior Foreign Office staff on the claims that Saddam Hussein's regime possessed "weapons of mass destruction".On Wednesday, the panel will hear from former senior Foreign Office staff on the claims that Saddam Hussein's regime possessed "weapons of mass destruction".
HAVE YOUR SAYI confidently predict that by the end of this inquiry the British public still won't know why we sent troops to Iraq or what advice the government was given regarding the war's legality.Richard, UK Send us your comments
Over the coming weeks the inquiry is expected to hear from a succession of diplomats, military officers and politicians, including Mr Blair, who is due to appear early in the new year.Over the coming weeks the inquiry is expected to hear from a succession of diplomats, military officers and politicians, including Mr Blair, who is due to appear early in the new year.
Sir John Scarlett, the former chief of MI6 who as chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee in 2002 drew up the Government's controversial dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, is also due to give evidence to the five-strong inquiry panel.Sir John Scarlett, the former chief of MI6 who as chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee in 2002 drew up the Government's controversial dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, is also due to give evidence to the five-strong inquiry panel.
Former Conservative leader Michael Howard said he would have preferred witnesses to be required to give evidence on oath. Former Conservative leader Michael Howard said the inquiry would be broader than other past investigations into aspects of the Iraq conflict.
However, he said the inquiry would be broader than other past investigations into aspects of the Iraq conflict and may unearth evidence that had so far not come to light.
'The truth'
"I hope what we get out of Chilcot is the truth. That is what people yearn for," he told BBC Radio 4's Today."I hope what we get out of Chilcot is the truth. That is what people yearn for," he told BBC Radio 4's Today.
Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor, said it was important the inquiry had access to all documents covering the run-up to the war.Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor, said it was important the inquiry had access to all documents covering the run-up to the war.
"There needs to be some definitive view about what happened.""There needs to be some definitive view about what happened."
Despite the fact that no weapons of mass destruction were discovered in Iraq after the invasion, he insisted previous inquiries had said Tony Blair had acted in good faith in his justification for the war.
HAVE YOUR SAYI confidently predict that by the end of this inquiry the British public still won't know why we sent troops to Iraq or what advice the government was given regarding the war's legality.Richard, UK Send us your comments
The BBC's Jim Muir, in Iraq, said people there appeared to be "bemused by the sight of the Western powers dissecting the decisions that were taken... as one politician put it, it's not at all relevant to Iraq today".
The war resulted in the deaths of 179 UK forces personnel.
Previously, the Butler inquiry looked at intelligence failures before the war, while the Hutton inquiry examined the circumstances leading to the death of former government adviser David Kelly.Previously, the Butler inquiry looked at intelligence failures before the war, while the Hutton inquiry examined the circumstances leading to the death of former government adviser David Kelly.
Sir John Chilcot has said he hopes to complete his final report by the end of next year, although he has warned it could slip into 2011.