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PM 'happy' to appear at inquiry PM 'happy' to appear at inquiry
(about 7 hours later)
Gordon Brown has written to the Iraq inquiry to say he is happy to appear "at any time" - amid criticism he will not appear until after the election.Gordon Brown has written to the Iraq inquiry to say he is happy to appear "at any time" - amid criticism he will not appear until after the election.
The prime minister told MPs he had written to chairman Sir John Chilcot, but it was up to him when he appeared. Mr Brown told MPs he had written to chairman Sir John Chilcot, but it was up to Sir John when he appeared.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has called for the PM, who was chancellor at the time of the war, to appear earlier.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has called for the PM, who was chancellor at the time of the war, to appear earlier.
SNP MP Angus Robertson had asked the PM to confirm there was "no impediment" to a pre-election appearance.SNP MP Angus Robertson had asked the PM to confirm there was "no impediment" to a pre-election appearance.
Mr Brown is due to give evidence but not before the general election.
However, opposition parties have been pushing for him to appear earlier to explain his role in events.
Troops' equipment
On Tuesday, former defence secretary Geoff Hoon told the inquiry accounting changes introduced by the Treasury in September 2003 left the Ministry of Defence facing "difficult" cuts in its future equipment programmes.
The Conservatives said Mr Hoon's evidence showed financial constraints from the Treasury - under Mr Brown - had hampered efforts to provide troops with the necessary kit and led to a shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan.
Gordon Brown has done little or nothing to change his position Nick Clegg 45-minute claim 'a bit of colour'
At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Mr Robertson - the SNP's leader at Westminster - told Mr Brown: "The Chilcot inquiry has heard that you were in the Iraq war inner circle and refused key payments for our troops on the front line.
"Will you confirm to the House that there is no impediment for you to seek a time to give evidence to the Chilcot inquiry before the general election?"
Mr Brown told him it was "a matter for the Chilcot inquiry" but he had written to the chairman on Tuesday to say he was "happy to give evidence at any time".
In his letter to Sir John Chilcot, released later, Mr Brown wrote: "I am clear that it is a matter for you how you conduct the inquiry and that it is, and must remain, entirely independent of government.
"In undertaking this, you have rightly chosen the order you wish to receive evidence.
"For my part, I want to make it absolutely clear I am prepared to give evidence whenever you see fit. I remain happy to take your advice on this matter."
It followed calls from the Lib Dems for Mr Brown to appear earlier.
'Party politics'
But on Wednesday Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said: "Gordon Brown has done little or nothing to change his position.
"He must insist, on behalf of the British people, that he appears at the inquiry before the election."
For the Conservatives, William Hague welcomed the prime minister's letter and said: "We hope that this will now pave the way for Sir John Chilcot to call on the prime minister to give evidence before the general election.
"It is only right and proper that all those who played a role in taking the country to war give evidence before the general election."
Sir John has indicated that hearings will not be held in the run-up to the election to allow the inquiry to remain outside party politics.