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Campbell facing Iraq war inquiry Campbell facing Iraq war inquiry
(9 minutes later)
Tony Blair's former spokesman Alastair Campbell has begun giving evidence to the Iraq inquiry, the most prominent figure to do so yet.Tony Blair's former spokesman Alastair Campbell has begun giving evidence to the Iraq inquiry, the most prominent figure to do so yet.
In three hours of questioning, he is set to be asked about his involvement in the build-up to war in March 2003. During three hours of questioning, he is being asked about his involvement in the build-up to war in March 2003.
He played a key role in the drawing up of the government's dossier on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction.He played a key role in the drawing up of the government's dossier on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction.
The probe is looking at UK policy during the run-up to the 2003 war, its handling and aftermath.The probe is looking at UK policy during the run-up to the 2003 war, its handling and aftermath.
Inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot said he would seek answers from Mr Campbell about the "presentation of the case" for military action in Iraq and the drafting of dossiers about Iraq's threat backing this up.
Asked about his relationship with Mr Blair, Mr Campbell said the two were "very close" but added that he was just one of a "circle" of key figures at No 10 during the period including other Cabinet ministers, foreign policy advisers and intelligence chiefs.
Mr Campbell said he "was never a policy person" and his involvement in policy discussions relating to Iraq revolved around how decisions would be communicated afterwards.
DossierDossier
Mr Campbell, who has given evidence to three previous inquiries on Iraq, was, in his own words, "alongside Tony as he made what was clearly the most difficult decision of his life and of his career".Mr Campbell, who has given evidence to three previous inquiries on Iraq, was, in his own words, "alongside Tony as he made what was clearly the most difficult decision of his life and of his career".
Mr Campbell is likely to be asked about his involvement in the drawing up of the government's dossier on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, which included the claim they could be used within 45 minutes of an order being given. Mr Campbell 's evidence is set to be focused on his involvement in the drawing up of the government's dossier on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, which included the claim they could be used within 45 minutes of an order being given.
CAMPBELL FACTS An ex-journalist, Alastair Campbell was Tony Blair's press secretary between 1994 and 2003 and No 10 director of communications from 1997 to 2003. Live: Campbell before inquiryCAMPBELL FACTS An ex-journalist, Alastair Campbell was Tony Blair's press secretary between 1994 and 2003 and No 10 director of communications from 1997 to 2003. Live: Campbell before inquiry
Published six months before the conflict, it included a foreword by Mr Blair in which he wrote that he believed the intelligence had established beyond doubt that Saddam Hussein had continued to produce chemical and biological weapons.Published six months before the conflict, it included a foreword by Mr Blair in which he wrote that he believed the intelligence had established beyond doubt that Saddam Hussein had continued to produce chemical and biological weapons.
The BBC's World Affairs Correspondent Peter Biles said Mr Campbell had always denied suggestions that he sought to "firm up" the dossier to strengthen the case for military action against Iraq.The BBC's World Affairs Correspondent Peter Biles said Mr Campbell had always denied suggestions that he sought to "firm up" the dossier to strengthen the case for military action against Iraq.
Sir John Scarlett, head of the Joint Intelligence Committee at the time, told the inquiry last month that the foreword written by Downing Street was "overtly political" and was "quite separate" from the dossier itself.Sir John Scarlett, head of the Joint Intelligence Committee at the time, told the inquiry last month that the foreword written by Downing Street was "overtly political" and was "quite separate" from the dossier itself.
Questions about Mr Campbell's role in drawing up the dossier was at the centre of a post-invasion row with the BBC which culminated in the death of the government weapons expert Dr David Kelly and the subsequent Hutton inquiry. Questions about Mr Campbell's role in drawing up the dossier were at the centre of a post-invasion row with the BBC which culminated in the death of the government weapons expert Dr David Kelly and the subsequent Hutton inquiry.
Mr Campbell, a former political editor of the Daily Mirror, was Mr Blair's press secretary from 1994 to 2003.Mr Campbell, a former political editor of the Daily Mirror, was Mr Blair's press secretary from 1994 to 2003.
It has also been announced that former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will give evidence next week. It has also been announced that former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will give evidence next week. Mr Blair is expected to appear at a later date.
Mr Blair is expected to appear at a later date. His successor as prime minister, Gordon Brown, will not give evidence until after the general election, expected to take place in May. The Iraq Inquiry's final report is due to be published by early next year.
His successor as prime minister, Gordon Brown, will not give evidence until after the general election, expected to take place in May.
The Iraq Inquiry's final report is due to be published by early next year.