This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8492526.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Short addressing Iraq war inquiry Short: Iraq briefings 'blocked'
(20 minutes later)
Clare Short, one of the most vocal UK critics of the Iraq war, is giving evidence to the UK's Iraq inquiry. Former International Development Clare Short has claimed the government put a "block on communications" with her in the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq war.
The former international development secretary resigned from the cabinet two months after the March 2003 invasion in protest at its aftermath. Ms Short, one of the most vocal critics of the war, said intelligence briefings "just didn't come" in late 2002.
She has criticised the basis for going to war and claimed there was no serious discussion of the issue in cabinet. She told the Iraq inquiry the cabinet had not worked as a "decision-making body" ahead of the invasion.
Ms Short has faced criticism during the inquiry from witnesses, including some senior military officers. Ms Short quit the cabinet two months after the March 2003, protesting about the planning for the war's aftermath.
She is expected to face questions on her role in planning for the rebuilding of Iraq after the war and on whether she thought the invasion was legal. She has faced criticism during the inquiry from witnesses, including some senior military officers.
In the run-up to the conflict, Ms Short warned Britain should not invade without a second UN resolution - which it did not secure.In the run-up to the conflict, Ms Short warned Britain should not invade without a second UN resolution - which it did not secure.
'Ludicrous''Ludicrous'
She has previously said she was persuaded by then Prime Minister Tony Blair to stay in the cabinet after the war started, with a promise that her department would play a leading role in Iraq's reconstruction.She has previously said she was persuaded by then Prime Minister Tony Blair to stay in the cabinet after the war started, with a promise that her department would play a leading role in Iraq's reconstruction.
Ms Short, who now sits in the Commons as an independent MP, eventually quit the government over the lack of UN involvement in the reconstruction effort.Ms Short, who now sits in the Commons as an independent MP, eventually quit the government over the lack of UN involvement in the reconstruction effort.
Mr Blair told the inquiry last week that former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had been a "monster" who, he believed, "threatened not just the region but the world".Mr Blair told the inquiry last week that former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had been a "monster" who, he believed, "threatened not just the region but the world".
He said British and US attitudes towards the threat posed by Iraq "changed dramatically" after the terror attacks on 11 September 2001, since they highlighted the dangers of links between failed states in possession of weapons of mass destruction and terrorist groups.He said British and US attitudes towards the threat posed by Iraq "changed dramatically" after the terror attacks on 11 September 2001, since they highlighted the dangers of links between failed states in possession of weapons of mass destruction and terrorist groups.
He suggested Saddam would have co-operated with groups such as al-Qaeda, had he been allowed to stay in power.He suggested Saddam would have co-operated with groups such as al-Qaeda, had he been allowed to stay in power.
On Sunday, Ms Short told the BBC she thought this claim was "ludicrous".On Sunday, Ms Short told the BBC she thought this claim was "ludicrous".
'Difficult to handle''Difficult to handle'
She also said that Gordon Brown, then chancellor, had been "marginalised" in the build-up to the war and the then chancellor had neither opposed nor supported it.She also said that Gordon Brown, then chancellor, had been "marginalised" in the build-up to the war and the then chancellor had neither opposed nor supported it.
During an earlier hearing, former head of the armed forces Lord Boyce suggested officials from Ms Short's department had refused to co-operate fully in the immediate aftermath of the invasion because of their opposition to the war.During an earlier hearing, former head of the armed forces Lord Boyce suggested officials from Ms Short's department had refused to co-operate fully in the immediate aftermath of the invasion because of their opposition to the war.
Mr Blair's former spokesman, Alastair Campbell, told the inquiry that Ms Short had been "difficult to handle" in the run-up to the invasion and suggested there was a fear she might leak things she did not agree with.Mr Blair's former spokesman, Alastair Campbell, told the inquiry that Ms Short had been "difficult to handle" in the run-up to the invasion and suggested there was a fear she might leak things she did not agree with.
But, in his evidence, former Cabinet Secretary Lord Turnbull said such criticism was unfair and Ms Short and other more independent voices in cabinet had been effectively sidelined.But, in his evidence, former Cabinet Secretary Lord Turnbull said such criticism was unfair and Ms Short and other more independent voices in cabinet had been effectively sidelined.
Hilary Benn, who succeeded Ms Short as international development secretary, will also give evidence on Tuesday.Hilary Benn, who succeeded Ms Short as international development secretary, will also give evidence on Tuesday.