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/8375439.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Inquiry focusing on Iraq 'threat' Inquiry focuses on Iraq 'threat'
(about 3 hours later)
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 UK government "distanced itself" from talk of removing Saddam Hussein in early 2001 despite concerns about his threat, the Iraq inquiry has been told.
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.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. Senior diplomats have finished their evidence on the war's origins on the first day of public hearings.
The inquiry chairman has said he hopes to conclude his report in late 2010.The inquiry chairman has said he hopes to conclude his report in late 2010.
Relatives of some of the 179 UK service personnel killed in Iraq gathered outside the venue in central London where the hearings are being held, as did a number of anti-war protesters.Relatives of some of the 179 UK service personnel killed in Iraq gathered outside the venue in central London where the hearings are being held, as did a number of anti-war protesters.
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 Analysis: tolerant or critical?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 Analysis: tolerant or critical?
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 for more than a year. The long-awaited investigation into the UK's involvement in the run-up to the Iraq invasion, the war itself and its aftermath, is expected to last for more than a year.
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 is looking at UK foreign policy towards Iraq in the lead-up to the war, which began in 2003. Tuesday's session looked at UK foreign policy towards Iraq in the lead-up to the war, which began in 2003.
Asked about the threat posed by Iraq in early 2001, Sir Peter Ricketts, who was the then chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee - which oversees MI5, MI6 and GCHQ - said it was palpable.Asked about the threat posed by Iraq in early 2001, Sir Peter Ricketts, who was the then 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, having used them in the past. Sir Peter, now Head of the Diplomatic Service, said there was a "clear impression" of Saddam's "continuing intention" to acquire capability for weapons of mass destruction, having used them in the past.
Impact of 9/11Impact of 9/11
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". However, Sir Peter said there was no-one in the UK government in early 2001 "promoting" regime change, as it was assumed "it was not our policy that we were seeking the removal of Saddam Hussein".
While there were "voices" in Washington calling for Saddam to be removed even before the Bush administration came to power in early 2001, this did not result in a change to the longstanding policy of trying to contain Iraq through sanctions, he said.While there were "voices" in Washington calling for Saddam to be removed even before the Bush administration came to power in early 2001, this did not result in a change to the longstanding policy of trying to contain Iraq through sanctions, he said.
CORRESPONDENT'S VIEW From the BBC's Peter Biles at the Chilcot inquiry in London: The first members of the public arrived as early as 6.30am forming a queue outside the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.CORRESPONDENT'S VIEW From the BBC's Peter Biles at the Chilcot inquiry in London: The first members of the public arrived as early as 6.30am forming a queue outside the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
The bereaved families of servicemen and women killed in Iraq have waited with a sense of expectation for this Iraq inquiry, the most comprehensive of all the investigations held in Britain.The bereaved families of servicemen and women killed in Iraq have waited with a sense of expectation for this Iraq inquiry, the most comprehensive of all the investigations held in Britain.
Among those here today was Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq in 2004. Also present, the sisters of the aid worker Margaret Hassan who was kidnapped and executed.Among those here today was Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq in 2004. Also present, the sisters of the aid worker Margaret Hassan who was kidnapped and executed.
In a small demonstration outside a group of three people wore face masks caricaturing George Bush, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Inside, in the sterile atmosphere of the public hearing room, the committee chairman Sir John Chilcot opened proceedings with a warning that this inquiry might not be completed until the end of 2010.In a small demonstration outside a group of three people wore face masks caricaturing George Bush, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Inside, in the sterile atmosphere of the public hearing room, the committee chairman Sir John Chilcot opened proceedings with a warning that this inquiry might not be completed until the end of 2010.
That will not come as a surprise - Sir John has already said his committee has received "mountains of written material" to digest.That will not come as a surprise - Sir John has already said his committee has received "mountains of written material" to digest.
Former Foreign Office official Sir William Patey said the UK had been aware "of the drumbeats from Washington" but wanted to "stay away from that end of the spectrum". Sir William Patey, then head of the Middle East Department at the Foreign Office, said the UK had been aware "of the drumbeats from Washington" but wanted to "stay away from that end of the spectrum".
Asked how the 9/11 attacks in the US had impacted on British attitudes towards Iraq, Sir Peter said it highlighted the threat of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction without being subject to any international control. Sir William - now ambassador to Saudi Arabia - acknowledged that international support for the sanctions policy in place against Iraq since 1991 - which underpinned the international community's longstanding policy of containment - was steadily breaking down at the time.
However, asked whether this policy - which critics said was ineffective and which was actually hurting the Iraqi people - could have "kept Saddam caged" indefinitely, he replied "possibly".
Focusing on the impact of the 9/11 attacks on British policy, Sir Peter said it highlighted the threat of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction without being subject to any international control.
"I think it gives the whole issue greater political prominence," he said. "It added an edge to that work on weapons of mass destruction.""I think it gives the whole issue greater political prominence," he said. "It added an edge to that work on weapons of mass destruction."
Despite there being no evidence of a direct link between al-Qaeda and Iraq, Sir Peter said there was a "tone of voice" in Washington after 9/11 that there would be "major implications" for Iraq if that was the case.Despite there being no evidence of a direct link between al-Qaeda and Iraq, Sir Peter said there was a "tone of voice" in Washington after 9/11 that there would be "major implications" for Iraq if that was the case.
US priorities after 9/11 remained al-Qaeda and Afghanistan, but he said it became clear by the end of the year that the so-called war on terror was moving into a second, as yet, "undefined" phase.US priorities after 9/11 remained al-Qaeda and Afghanistan, but he said it became clear by the end of the year that the so-called war on terror was moving into a second, as yet, "undefined" phase.
"It was clear from late autumn (2001) that Iraq was being considered in a different light in light of the 9/11 attacks," he said."It was clear from late autumn (2001) that Iraq was being considered in a different light in light of the 9/11 attacks," he said.
But he said he did not "recall" any conversations with British ministers or policy discussions in Whitehall about regime change at that stage.
Others giving evidence on Tuesday are former senior Ministry of Defence official Simon Webb and ex-Foreign Office official Sir Michael Wood.
'Open mind''Open mind'
Earlier, inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot said the panel had an "open mind" about the UK's involvement in the Iraq conflict and its aftermath. But he said he did not "recall" any conversations with British ministers or policy discussions in Whitehall about regime change at that stage.
Other officials who gave evidence on Tuesday were former senior Ministry of Defence official Simon Webb and ex-Foreign Office official Sir Michael Wood.
In his opening statement, inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot said the panel had an "open mind" about the UK's involvement in the Iraq conflict and its aftermath.
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 2011INQUIRY 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
In his opening statement 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.In his opening statement 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.
Controversial dossierControversial dossier
The members of the inquiry's committee were chosen by No 10, leading critics to ask whether it can be independent of the government.The members of the inquiry's committee were chosen by No 10, leading critics to ask whether it can be independent of the government.
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 commentsHAVE 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 appear.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 appear.
Former Conservative leader Michael Howard said the inquiry would be broader than other past investigations into aspects of the Iraq conflict.Former Conservative leader Michael Howard said the inquiry would be broader than other past investigations into aspects of the Iraq conflict.
"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."
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.