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Iraq panel to question Geoff Hoon Iraq panel to question Geoff Hoon
(about 7 hours later)
The Iraq inquiry is to start taking evidence from cabinet ministers at the time of the invasion in March 2003, with Geoff Hoon the first to appear. The UK's Iraq inquiry is to start hearing from cabinet ministers at the time of the invasion in March 2003, with Geoff Hoon the first to appear.
He was defence secretary from 1999 to 2005 but is no longer in the cabinet.He was defence secretary from 1999 to 2005 but is no longer in the cabinet.
His appearance comes two weeks after he led calls for a ballot on Gordon Brown's Labour leadership.His appearance comes two weeks after he led calls for a ballot on Gordon Brown's Labour leadership.
Mr Hoon's evidence could shed light on relations with other members of the cabinet at the time of the invasion, including then chancellor Mr Brown.Mr Hoon's evidence could shed light on relations with other members of the cabinet at the time of the invasion, including then chancellor Mr Brown.
Mr Hoon is expected to appear for two three-hour sessions later and is likely to be asked about pre-war military planning.Mr Hoon is expected to appear for two three-hour sessions later and is likely to be asked about pre-war military planning.
'Short timelines''Short timelines'
Former defence chief Lord Boyce has already told the inquiry he was prevented by Mr Hoon from talking to the chief of defence logistics "because of the concern of it becoming public knowledge that we were planning for a military contribution" in Iraq. Former chief of the defence staff Lord Boyce has already told the inquiry he was prevented by Mr Hoon from talking to the chief of defence logistics "because of the concern of it becoming public knowledge that we were planning for a military contribution" in Iraq.
Lord Boyce said it left "short timelines" to prepare troops for war.Lord Boyce said it left "short timelines" to prepare troops for war.
During a private hearing on Friday, General Sir John Reith - Chief of Joint Military Operations during the invasion - said he told Mr Hoon in December 2002 that he needed to requisition ships and call up reservists immediately or else UK armed forces would not be able to take part in any invasion before the end of March 2003.
Although this was done, he said Mr Hoon and other officials were "reluctant" to commit to any action at that stage.
He they did not want to alert the public to the fact military preparations were under way as they wanted to keep their "options open".
The Conservatives say the inquiry needs to look at claims ministers delayed ordering equipment.The Conservatives say the inquiry needs to look at claims ministers delayed ordering equipment.
On Thursday Jack Straw - foreign secretary at the time of the invasion - will appear for a single three-hour session and on 29 January former Prime Minister Tony Blair will give evidence for a full day.On Thursday Jack Straw - foreign secretary at the time of the invasion - will appear for a single three-hour session and on 29 January former Prime Minister Tony Blair will give evidence for a full day.
Demand for seats for Mr Blair's evidence has been so high the inquiry has allocated them using a ballot system.Demand for seats for Mr Blair's evidence has been so high the inquiry has allocated them using a ballot system.
The Liberal Democrats say Mr Brown should appear at the inquiry earlier than his expected date after the General Election.The Liberal Democrats say Mr Brown should appear at the inquiry earlier than his expected date after the General Election.
Foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey said: "Gordon Brown is now the only major government player missing from the line-up at the Iraq inquiry before the election.Foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey said: "Gordon Brown is now the only major government player missing from the line-up at the Iraq inquiry before the election.
"By the time the UK chooses its next government, we will have heard from the men primarily responsible for Britain's decision to commit troops, but not the man who signed the cheques.""By the time the UK chooses its next government, we will have heard from the men primarily responsible for Britain's decision to commit troops, but not the man who signed the cheques."