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LIVE: Brown at the Iraq inquiry LIVE: Brown at the Iraq inquiry
(10 minutes later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is giving evidence to the UK's Iraq war inquiry from 1000 GMT. Follow all the action, reaction and analysis on this automatically refreshing page. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is giving evidence to the UK's Iraq war inquiry from 1000 GMT. Follow all the action, reaction and analysis on this automatically refreshing page.
By Victoria King 1037 Another panel member, Sir Roderic Lyne, is now asking the questions. He asks if Mr Brown, as a senior cabinet member, should have been privy to more information in the run-up to the war? "I think I knew what was happening at the time. I don't think I needed to see every paper," the PM replies. By Victoria King 1047 Mr Brown says even in the last weekend before the invasion diplomatic efforts were continuing. He says he doesn't accept the premise of a question from Sir Roderic that Mr Blair and US President George W Bush were discussing plans for war during 2002. "Until the diplomatic route was exhausted", Mr Brown insists, "there was no decision made to go to war".
1044 Sir Roderic asks whether there was a "current threat" of aggression from Iraq in March 2003. Mr Brown doesn't answer that directly, but repeats his previous point that some countries were not prepared to take action under any circumstances. Sir Roderic asks again - but again the PM answers in a different way, choosing to focus on the obligation he felt the international community had to "deal with problems of rogue states". Sir Roderic even asks the question a third time, but the answer is the same.
"..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". Such a defence for supporting the Iraq war could also justify backing any American (or Israeli) military action against Iran. Jamie Collins, Aberdeen - via BBC Have Your Say
1040 Mr Brown says that by March 2003 - the month the war began - he felt the government had exhausted every option other than an all-out invasion. He says "some countries" would never have supported the US and UK-led action no matter how long Iraq had continued to defy the international community.
1037 Another panel member, Sir Roderic Lyne, is now asking the questions. He asks if Mr Brown, as a senior cabinet member, should have been privy to more information in the run-up to the war? "I think I knew what was happening at the time. I don't think I needed to see every paper," the PM replies.
1034 Mr Brown says the Treasury did not in any way interfere with the military planning and there were never cost grounds pushed for choosing one option over another. "There was no financial barrier to doing what needed to be done," he says. This is clearly a point the PM is very keen to hammer home - he's said it several times now.1034 Mr Brown says the Treasury did not in any way interfere with the military planning and there were never cost grounds pushed for choosing one option over another. "There was no financial barrier to doing what needed to be done," he says. This is clearly a point the PM is very keen to hammer home - he's said it several times now.
1033 Mr Brown says one of his "regrets" was not being able to "push the Americans" further in drawing up plans for the reconstruction period before the invasion was carried out. "I wish that it had been possible to follow that through much more quickly in the aftermath of the first few days of the battle," he adds.1033 Mr Brown says one of his "regrets" was not being able to "push the Americans" further in drawing up plans for the reconstruction period before the invasion was carried out. "I wish that it had been possible to follow that through much more quickly in the aftermath of the first few days of the battle," he adds.
BasseCopette tweets: Oh Brown...dont use the Iraq Inquiry to grandstand! First answer - bad move!BasseCopette tweets: Oh Brown...dont use the Iraq Inquiry to grandstand! First answer - bad move!
MildredCButton tweets: Once again we see the witness trying to lead the inquiry.MildredCButton tweets: Once again we see the witness trying to lead the inquiry.
1029 Mr Brown says the cabinet was "anxious to avoid war" if at all possible. He says Britain's original role in the conflict was not going to be in taking control of the Basra area, as it eventually turned out to be - he says the area of the country that was designated Britain's responsibility changed over time.1029 Mr Brown says the cabinet was "anxious to avoid war" if at all possible. He says Britain's original role in the conflict was not going to be in taking control of the Basra area, as it eventually turned out to be - he says the area of the country that was designated Britain's responsibility changed over time.
1026 Asked if he and other cabinet colleagues were kept in the loop about all developments, Mr Brown says "of course". He says that, from June 2002, the Treasury had to begin making preparations for financing a possible war, and in September of that year, the department began looking at plans for the reconstruction of Iraq afterwards.1026 Asked if he and other cabinet colleagues were kept in the loop about all developments, Mr Brown says "of course". He says that, from June 2002, the Treasury had to begin making preparations for financing a possible war, and in September of that year, the department began looking at plans for the reconstruction of Iraq afterwards.
1022 Mr Brown says Mr Blair and then foreign secretary Jack Straw "shouldn't be faulted" for the great efforts they made to find a diplomatic rather than military solution to the Iraq problem.1022 Mr Brown says Mr Blair and then foreign secretary Jack Straw "shouldn't be faulted" for the great efforts they made to find a diplomatic rather than military solution to the Iraq problem.
1020 Mr Brown says he was always clear that financial constraint would not affect what military decisions were taken. If a more expensive option was better, then it would be funded.1020 Mr Brown says he was always clear that financial constraint would not affect what military decisions were taken. If a more expensive option was better, then it would be funded.
1019 The PM is asked whether he was "absolutely in the loop" when it came to the decision to invade. Did he have private discussions with Tony Blair in the run-up to it? He answers by saying the foreign and defence secretaries, as well as Mr Blair, were the main figures, but they reported to the rest of the cabinet. Was he part of planning at the highest level? He says that from about June 2002 he was discussing what would happen in the event that military action was taken.1019 The PM is asked whether he was "absolutely in the loop" when it came to the decision to invade. Did he have private discussions with Tony Blair in the run-up to it? He answers by saying the foreign and defence secretaries, as well as Mr Blair, were the main figures, but they reported to the rest of the cabinet. Was he part of planning at the highest level? He says that from about June 2002 he was discussing what would happen in the event that military action was taken.
1016 Mr Brown says 14 UN resolutions had been systematically ignored by Iraq and the international community had to act. He agrees that it was these violations that were his prime reason for backing the invasion.1016 Mr Brown says 14 UN resolutions had been systematically ignored by Iraq and the international community had to act. He agrees that it was these violations that were his prime reason for backing the invasion.
1014 She tries again with the same question… Mr Brown says he was given information by the intelligence services which "led me to believe that Iraq was a threat that had to be dealt with". Iraq, he adds, had been persistently asked to disclose weapons that the international community believed it had - and it was "a serial violator" of these requests.1014 She tries again with the same question… Mr Brown says he was given information by the intelligence services which "led me to believe that Iraq was a threat that had to be dealt with". Iraq, he adds, had been persistently asked to disclose weapons that the international community believed it had - and it was "a serial violator" of these requests.
1012 Baroness Prashar asks about the threat from weapons of mass construction. Did Mr Brown see "a real and present danger" from weapons held by Iraq? Mr Brown calls Iraq "an aggressor state" and says the community was justified in taking action against it - but doesn't specifically answer the WMD question.1012 Baroness Prashar asks about the threat from weapons of mass construction. Did Mr Brown see "a real and present danger" from weapons held by Iraq? Mr Brown calls Iraq "an aggressor state" and says the community was justified in taking action against it - but doesn't specifically answer the WMD question.
1010 Panel member Baroness Prashar asks Mr Brown what he felt about using force to back up Britain's foreign policy ambitions. He says if the global community is going to have any credibility then it must be prepared to take military action when necessary.1010 Panel member Baroness Prashar asks Mr Brown what he felt about using force to back up Britain's foreign policy ambitions. He says if the global community is going to have any credibility then it must be prepared to take military action when necessary.
1008 Mr Brown says it was "the gravest decision of all" to decide to go to war. He says the international community had tried to control Saddam Hussein for years but to no avail. But he says there are lessons to learn, not least that it has taken "seven years to win the peace in Iraq".1008 Mr Brown says it was "the gravest decision of all" to decide to go to war. He says the international community had tried to control Saddam Hussein for years but to no avail. But he says there are lessons to learn, not least that it has taken "seven years to win the peace in Iraq".
1005 Mr Brown looks calm as he is asked the first question - does he think taking military action was the right thing to do? The PM replies that it was the right thing and was done for the right reasons, but he wants to pay his respects right from the off to all those who died in the conflict.1005 Mr Brown looks calm as he is asked the first question - does he think taking military action was the right thing to do? The PM replies that it was the right thing and was done for the right reasons, but he wants to pay his respects right from the off to all those who died in the conflict.
1004 Inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot welcomes everyone. He reminds them that the hearings are taking place in the run-up to a general election and repeats his desire for them not to become a political football.1004 Inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot welcomes everyone. He reminds them that the hearings are taking place in the run-up to a general election and repeats his desire for them not to become a political football.
Ideally I would like to see Gordon Brown answer all the questions fully and honestly, but my expectations are low. It seems that politicians can only give honest answers once they are out of politics.Voter_GrahamIdeally I would like to see Gordon Brown answer all the questions fully and honestly, but my expectations are low. It seems that politicians can only give honest answers once they are out of politics.Voter_Graham
1001 And here he is… Mr Brown has entered the inquiry chamber.1001 And here he is… Mr Brown has entered the inquiry chamber.
0959 As he prepares to begin his evidence the protesters outside have been chanting "Gordon Brown to the Hague" - a reference to their desire for him to face a war crimes tribunal. But it is still a much more low key occasion than Tony Blair's appearance.0959 As he prepares to begin his evidence the protesters outside have been chanting "Gordon Brown to the Hague" - a reference to their desire for him to face a war crimes tribunal. But it is still a much more low key occasion than Tony Blair's appearance.
0958 Mr Brown is the biggest name to appear at the inquiry since his former boss Tony Blair in January. Mr Blair certainly had no regrets over the war - but will Mr Brown feel the same? He has said he doesn't want there to be any "unanswered questions" about the role he played, so perhaps we can expect a revelation or two...0958 Mr Brown is the biggest name to appear at the inquiry since his former boss Tony Blair in January. Mr Blair certainly had no regrets over the war - but will Mr Brown feel the same? He has said he doesn't want there to be any "unanswered questions" about the role he played, so perhaps we can expect a revelation or two...
0956 We'll be bringing you expert analysis of today's events, as they happen, from our political correspondents. We'll also be publishing a selection of your thoughts, as you send them by email or via Twitter.0956 We'll be bringing you expert analysis of today's events, as they happen, from our political correspondents. We'll also be publishing a selection of your thoughts, as you send them by email or via Twitter.
0954 Several of today's newspapers also accuse Mr Brown of risking - or even costing - soldiers' lives in Iraq by slashing their funding. Mr Brown has strongly denied doing anything of the sort. He told PM's questions last month that troops were prepared for war with "proper funding" and "every urgent operational requirement" to arise post-invasion was met.0954 Several of today's newspapers also accuse Mr Brown of risking - or even costing - soldiers' lives in Iraq by slashing their funding. Mr Brown has strongly denied doing anything of the sort. He told PM's questions last month that troops were prepared for war with "proper funding" and "every urgent operational requirement" to arise post-invasion was met.
0951 A handful of protesters have gathered outside the inquiry to greet Mr Brown and their shouts can be heard as he walks inside. One holds up a "blood-stained" cheque for £8.5bn - the estimated cost of the war - while another has a Gordon Brown mask on, also splattered in fake blood.0951 A handful of protesters have gathered outside the inquiry to greet Mr Brown and their shouts can be heard as he walks inside. One holds up a "blood-stained" cheque for £8.5bn - the estimated cost of the war - while another has a Gordon Brown mask on, also splattered in fake blood.
0950 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Gordon Brown's appearance at the Iraq inquiry. Mr Brown is due to start giving evidence at 1000 GMT. His motorcade has already arrived at the conference hall. We're expecting the five inquiry panel members to quiz him on his time both as chancellor and PM. As the former, he was the man holding the purse strings when Britain went to war and he will no doubt want to answer accusations that he "guillotined" the defence budget shortly after the invasion.0950 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Gordon Brown's appearance at the Iraq inquiry. Mr Brown is due to start giving evidence at 1000 GMT. His motorcade has already arrived at the conference hall. We're expecting the five inquiry panel members to quiz him on his time both as chancellor and PM. As the former, he was the man holding the purse strings when Britain went to war and he will no doubt want to answer accusations that he "guillotined" the defence budget shortly after the invasion.