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Iraq panel questioning Geoff Hoon Iraq panel questioning Geoff Hoon
(20 minutes later)
The UK's Iraq inquiry is hearing from Geoff Hoon, the first cabinet minister at the time of the invasion in March 2003 to appear before it.The UK's Iraq inquiry is hearing from Geoff Hoon, the first cabinet minister at the time of the invasion in March 2003 to appear before it.
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.
Letters published on Tuesday show Mr Hoon was warned by Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in April 2002 about the legality of military action in Iraq.Letters published on Tuesday show Mr Hoon was warned by Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in April 2002 about the legality of military action in Iraq.
He told Mr Hoon in a private letter there were "considerable difficulties" in justifying military action in Iraq.He told Mr Hoon in a private letter there were "considerable difficulties" in justifying military action in Iraq.
The declassified letters between the two ministers were published by the inquiry as Mr Hoon started to give evidence.
Nearly a full year before the invasion, Lord Goldsmith told Mr Hoon that he was "not aware of the existence of material indicating the existence of an imminent threat from Iraq which would justify military action without the support of a [Unite Nations] Security Council authorisation".
Lord Goldsmith ultimately advised the government in 2003 that the invasion of the Iraq was legal.Lord Goldsmith ultimately advised the government in 2003 that the invasion of the Iraq was legal.
Mr Hoon's evidence could shed light on relations with other members of the cabinet at the time of the invasion, including the then chancellor Mr Brown. Mr Hoon is appearing for two three-hour sessions and is likely to be asked about pre-war military planning.
Mr Hoon is due to appear for two three-hour sessions later and is likely to be asked about pre-war military planning. His evidence could also shed light on relations with other members of the cabinet at the time, including the then chancellor Gordon Brown.
MrHoon told the inquiry that his US counterpart, Donald Rumsfeld, was initially "somewhat suspicious" of the Labour government because of his political background as a Republican.
However, he said Mr Rumsfeld had "considerable admiration" for former prime minister Tony Blair and the UK was soon able to allay any doubts that the two governments would be "able to do business".
'Short timelines''Short timelines'
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.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.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.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".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."