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| Iraq military build-up examined | Iraq military build-up examined |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The military build-up to the invasion of Iraq is continuing to be scrutinised at the Chilcot inquiry on Friday. | |
| Two of the UK's most senior army officers at the time of the war are giving evidence about preparations for the March 2003 action. | |
| Ex-defence chief Admiral Lord Boyce has said he was "frustrated" some planning was kept secret so as not to hamper failed UN efforts to solve the crisis. | Ex-defence chief Admiral Lord Boyce has said he was "frustrated" some planning was kept secret so as not to hamper failed UN efforts to solve the crisis. |
| But he said he believed frontline troops were properly equipped. | But he said he believed frontline troops were properly equipped. |
| Countdown to war | Countdown to war |
| In recent days, the inquiry has been looking into when military preparations for the invasion began in the UK and US and whether they made a diplomatic solution less likely. | In recent days, the inquiry has been looking into when military preparations for the invasion began in the UK and US and whether they made a diplomatic solution less likely. |
| Among those giving evidence on Friday are Lt General Sir Anthony Pigott, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff between 2000 and 2003 and Major General David Wilson, senior British military advisor to US Central Command in the run-up to war. | Among those giving evidence on Friday are Lt General Sir Anthony Pigott, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff between 2000 and 2003 and Major General David Wilson, senior British military advisor to US Central Command in the run-up to war. |
| 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 Iraq inquiry: Day-by-day timeline Q&A: Iraq war inquiry | 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 Iraq inquiry: Day-by-day timeline Q&A: Iraq war inquiry |
| Lord Boyce told the inquiry that planning for possible military action had been "ramped up" in May 2002, not long after a key meeting between then Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush. | Lord Boyce told the inquiry that planning for possible military action had been "ramped up" in May 2002, not long after a key meeting between then Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush. |
| He said the US always believed that the UK would take part in the Iraq invasion even if there were no efforts to solve the crisis via the UN. | He said the US always believed that the UK would take part in the Iraq invasion even if there were no efforts to solve the crisis via the UN. |
| But Sir Kevin Tebbit, the top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence, said the UK was "cautious" about military planning as it was trying to negotiate a UN mandate to force Saddam Hussein to disarm. | But Sir Kevin Tebbit, the top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence, said the UK was "cautious" about military planning as it was trying to negotiate a UN mandate to force Saddam Hussein to disarm. |
| In the first few weeks, the inquiry is hearing from senior diplomats and policy advisers who shaped policy in the run-up to the war. | In the first few weeks, the inquiry is hearing from senior diplomats and policy advisers who shaped policy in the run-up to the war. |
| It is also examining planning for the aftermath of the war and on Friday will hear from Dominick Asquith, in charge of Iraq policy at the Foreign Office between 2004 and 2006 and later British ambassador to Baghdad. | It is also examining planning for the aftermath of the war and on Friday will hear from Dominick Asquith, in charge of Iraq policy at the Foreign Office between 2004 and 2006 and later British ambassador to Baghdad. |
| The crucial question of the legality of the war will not be addressed until early next year, when Tony Blair is expected to give evidence. | The crucial question of the legality of the war will not be addressed until early next year, when Tony Blair is expected to give evidence. |