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Brown set to give Iraq evidence Brown set to give Iraq evidence
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is preparing to give evidence to the Iraq inquiry about his role in the war and its aftermath.Gordon Brown is preparing to give evidence to the Iraq inquiry about his role in the war and its aftermath.
As then-chancellor, inquiry witnesses have said he played a key role. It has also been claimed he cut defence funding after the 2003 invasion.As then-chancellor, inquiry witnesses have said he played a key role. It has also been claimed he cut defence funding after the 2003 invasion.
The prime minister said recently Iraq's disregard for UN resolutions - not its weapons of mass destruction - was the main reason he backed the war.The prime minister said recently Iraq's disregard for UN resolutions - not its weapons of mass destruction - was the main reason he backed the war.
He will face four hours of questioning over two sessions, from 1000 GMT.He will face four hours of questioning over two sessions, from 1000 GMT.
The inquiry is examining events from 2001 to 2009, including the decision to go to war, whether troops were properly prepared, the conflict and what planning there was for its aftermath.The inquiry is examining events from 2001 to 2009, including the decision to go to war, whether troops were properly prepared, the conflict and what planning there was for its aftermath.
'Unanswered questions''Unanswered questions'
A ballot was held to allocate seats at Mr Brown's appearance, as happened with his predecessor Tony Blair's evidence session in January.A ballot was held to allocate seats at Mr Brown's appearance, as happened with his predecessor Tony Blair's evidence session in January.
THE STORY SO FAR He may have been writing the cheques as chancellor, but Gordon Brown remained largely silent in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq warHe was thought by some to be sceptical about it. Others thought he was hedging his bets ahead of a leadership bidAfter becoming PM, he set up the Iraq inquiry to "learn lessons" from the war, although he originally wanted it held in secret and the timing ensured it would not report until after the electionEx-military leaders have given evidence at the inquiry suggesting Mr Brown kept defence spending tight during his 10 years at the Treasury with some suggesting this had a knock-on effect on forces' kitMr Brown has denied this and will want to counter anyimpression, as put by David Cameron, that he did not see the military as a priority until he was PM and it became politically convenient THE STORY SO FAR He may have been writing the cheques as chancellor, but Gordon Brown remained largely silent in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq warHe was thought by some to be sceptical about it. Others thought he was hedging his bets ahead of a leadership bidAfter becoming PM, he set up the Iraq inquiry to "learn lessons" from the war, although he originally wanted it held in secret and the timing ensured it would not report until after the electionEx-military leaders have given evidence at the inquiry suggesting Mr Brown kept defence spending tight during his 10 years at the Treasury with some suggesting this had a knock-on effect on forces' kitMr Brown has denied this and will want to counter any impression, as put by David Cameron, that he did not see the military as a priority until he was PM and it became politically convenient class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7312757.stm">Q&A: Iraq war inquiry class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8378559.stm">Iraq inquiry: Day-by-day timeline
Originally the prime minister had been due to give evidence in public after the general election - widely expected to be held on 6 May - but it was moved forward amid some political pressure.Originally the prime minister had been due to give evidence in public after the general election - widely expected to be held on 6 May - but it was moved forward amid some political pressure.
Mr Brown has said he is happy to give evidence early as he did not want people to think there were any "unanswered questions".Mr Brown has said he is happy to give evidence early as he did not want people to think there were any "unanswered questions".
The Times reported on Thursday that some families of soldiers who were killed in Iraq had urged the inquiry to challenge Mr Brown over funding for armed forces equipment - particularly the use of Snatch Land Rovers.The Times reported on Thursday that some families of soldiers who were killed in Iraq had urged the inquiry to challenge Mr Brown over funding for armed forces equipment - particularly the use of Snatch Land Rovers.
On Friday, in the same newspaper, former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Guthrie accused Mr Brown of costing soldiers' lives by failing to fund the Army properly when he was chancellor.
"Not fully funding the Army in the way they had asked... undoubtedly cost the lives of soldiers," he told The Times.
"He should be asked why he was so unsympathetic towards defence and so sympathetic to other departments."
The prime minister is expected to have a private meeting with family members of some of those killed in the conflict at some point during the day.
In previous evidence sessions former defence secretary Geoff Hoon said Mr Brown had been a key figure in the decisions that led to war.In previous evidence sessions former defence secretary Geoff Hoon said Mr Brown had been a key figure in the decisions that led to war.
WMD threat
And the PM is likely to be asked about claims made to the inquiry by Sir Kevin Tebbit, former top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence, that, as chancellor, Mr Brown "guillotined" military spending six months after the invasion.And the PM is likely to be asked about claims made to the inquiry by Sir Kevin Tebbit, former top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence, that, as chancellor, Mr Brown "guillotined" military spending six months after the invasion.
Mr Brown has said defence spending increased to meet the challenge of the Iraq campaign.Mr Brown has said defence spending increased to meet the challenge of the Iraq campaign.
WMD threat
Only one family who lost a relative in Iraq has applied for seats at Mr Brown's hearing - 40 seats were reserved for families over the course of Mr Blair's day-long session.Only one family who lost a relative in Iraq has applied for seats at Mr Brown's hearing - 40 seats were reserved for families over the course of Mr Blair's day-long session.
3 Feb 2010: Sir Kevin Tebbit said Gordon Brown 'guillotined' MoD funding3 Feb 2010: Sir Kevin Tebbit said Gordon Brown 'guillotined' MoD funding
Last month Mr Brown told Tribune magazine the threat of weapons of mass destruction had not been the main reason he backed the war - it was Iraq's disregard for UN resolutions which had "put at risk" global security.Last month Mr Brown told Tribune magazine the threat of weapons of mass destruction had not been the main reason he backed the war - it was Iraq's disregard for UN resolutions which had "put at risk" global security.
He added that he wanted "my opportunity to explain what I tried to do".He added that he wanted "my opportunity to explain what I tried to do".
Gordon Brown will not be ducking that responsibility, he will be giving a full account of why he did support the decision that was taken Lord AdonisTransport secretary
But the Liberal Democrats, who as a party opposed the Iraq war, dismissed Mr Brown's comments as a "shaky attempt to rewrite history".But the Liberal Democrats, who as a party opposed the Iraq war, dismissed Mr Brown's comments as a "shaky attempt to rewrite history".
Speaking on BBC One's Question Time on Thursday, Lib Dem peer Baroness Williams said: "He was the second most important person in that cabinet - the chancellor of the exchequer.
"He had to sign the cheques to make the war possible. We still don't know whether, deeply in his heart, he felt the war was wrong but he had to stick with Tony Blair as the prime minister, or whether he felt the war was right - I believe that is the central question he has to be asked."
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the programme: "All members of the cabinet who were ministers at the time of the invasion of Iraq bear equal responsibility.
"Gordon Brown will not be ducking that responsibility, he will be giving a full account of why he did support the decision that was taken when he appears before the Iraq inquiry."
Lord Adonis said the fact an "exhaustive" inquiry was being carried out showed "that we do not believe as a government we have anything to hide".
Former prime minister Tony Blair gave evidence to the inquiry in January.Former prime minister Tony Blair gave evidence to the inquiry in January.
He said he had "no regrets" about removing Saddam Hussein from power and insisted the Iraq war had made the world a safer place.He said he had "no regrets" about removing Saddam Hussein from power and insisted the Iraq war had made the world a safer place.