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PM 'to face Iraq Inquiry early' PM 'to face Iraq Inquiry early'
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown will be called to give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry before the general election, the BBC understands.Gordon Brown will be called to give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry before the general election, the BBC understands.
The prime minister had been due to appear before Sir John Chilcot's inquiry after the election - due by June at the latest.The prime minister had been due to appear before Sir John Chilcot's inquiry after the election - due by June at the latest.
But he has been under pressure from opposition parties to explain his role before voters go to the polls.But he has been under pressure from opposition parties to explain his role before voters go to the polls.
Mr Brown was chancellor at the time of the 2003 invasion and has said he will be "happy" to appear whenever called.Mr Brown was chancellor at the time of the 2003 invasion and has said he will be "happy" to appear whenever called.
'Key figure'
BBC deputy political editor James Landale said it was not yet known if whether it was Mr Brown or Sir John who had decided to call for an earlier appearance.BBC deputy political editor James Landale said it was not yet known if whether it was Mr Brown or Sir John who had decided to call for an earlier appearance.
'Signed the cheques'
But he said Labour would be keen not to let the potentially damaging row rumble on up until the general election.
Last week Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had told Mr Brown people were entitled to know what his role had been before they voted as he, as chancellor, had "signed the cheques" for the war.
At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Mr Brown told MPs he had written to Sir John saying he was happy to appear "at any time" before the committee - but it was up to the independent panel to decide.
That was an error, an error that has haunted us ever since Jack Straw on the way the 45-minute claim was worded Iraq my 'hardest choice' - StrawThat was an error, an error that has haunted us ever since Jack Straw on the way the 45-minute claim was worded Iraq my 'hardest choice' - Straw
But he said Labour would be keen not to let the potentially damaging row rumble on up until the general election - widely expected to be held on 6 May.
At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Mr Brown told MPs he had written to Sir John saying he was happy to appear "at any time" before the committee - but it was up to the independent panel to decide.
In his letter to Sir John Chilcot, Mr Brown wrote: "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."In his letter to Sir John Chilcot, Mr Brown wrote: "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."
Mr Clegg had said that was not enough and Mr Brown should "insist" on giving evidence before the election - widely expected to be called on 6 May. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said that was not enough and Mr Brown should "insist" on giving evidence before the election.
Speaking after the news that Mr Brown would appear before the election, Mr Clegg said it was "only right" that he explain his role "before asking the British people for their vote".Speaking after the news that Mr Brown would appear before the election, Mr Clegg said it was "only right" that he explain his role "before asking the British people for their vote".
"It is well known that the prime minister was a key figure in Britain's decision to invade Iraq," he said."It is well known that the prime minister was a key figure in Britain's decision to invade Iraq," he said.
And Angus Robertson, the SNP's leader at Westminster who raised the issue at question time, said there "must be no delay" in setting a date for Mr Brown's appearance.
"The people deserve the whole truth about a war fought in their name but the full facts cannot be known until Gordon Brown is held to account for his actions," he said.
Inquiry chairman Sir John had indicated that hearings would not be held in the run-up to the election to allow the inquiry to remain outside party politics.Inquiry chairman Sir John had indicated that hearings would not be held in the run-up to the election to allow the inquiry to remain outside party politics.
'Moral dilemma''Moral dilemma'
Tony Blair, who quit British politics when he stepped down as prime minister in 2007, will give evidence next Friday.Tony Blair, who quit British politics when he stepped down as prime minister in 2007, will give evidence next Friday.
Earlier former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw gave evidence and told the inquiry backing the war had been his "most difficult decision".Earlier former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw gave evidence and told the inquiry backing the war had been his "most difficult decision".
He said he had faced a "profoundly difficult moral and political dilemma" as he regarded the US policy of regime change as "improper and unlawful".He said he had faced a "profoundly difficult moral and political dilemma" as he regarded the US policy of regime change as "improper and unlawful".
Jack Straw: 45 minutes claim has "haunted us ever since"Jack Straw: 45 minutes claim has "haunted us ever since"
And he said he had presented Mr Blair with an alternative plan which did not involve committing British troops alongside the Americans, in case they lost a crucial Commons vote in March 2003.And he said he had presented Mr Blair with an alternative plan which did not involve committing British troops alongside the Americans, in case they lost a crucial Commons vote in March 2003.
He also said the claim in the 2002 intelligence dossier that Saddam Hussein had chemical weapons that could be used within 45 minutes of an order being given should have been "more precise" - it referred only to battlefield weapons.He also said the claim in the 2002 intelligence dossier that Saddam Hussein had chemical weapons that could be used within 45 minutes of an order being given should have been "more precise" - it referred only to battlefield weapons.
"That was an error, an error that has haunted us ever since," he said."That was an error, an error that has haunted us ever since," he said.
But Mr Straw, now justice secretary, insisted Saddam Hussein posed a "serious threat" that must be addressed.But Mr Straw, now justice secretary, insisted Saddam Hussein posed a "serious threat" that must be addressed.
Other key figures from the period to have given evidence are former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and former communications chief Alastair Campbell.Other key figures from the period to have given evidence are former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and former communications chief Alastair Campbell.
The former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith - who advised the cabinet that military intervention would be lawful, despite raising earlier concerns - will give evidence next Wednesday.The former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith - who advised the cabinet that military intervention would be lawful, despite raising earlier concerns - will give evidence next Wednesday.