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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blair to face Iraq probe queries | Blair to face Iraq probe queries |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Tony Blair is expected to face Commons questions later over whether there will be an Iraq war inquiry - despite seeing off a bid by MPs to force such a move. | Tony Blair is expected to face Commons questions later over whether there will be an Iraq war inquiry - despite seeing off a bid by MPs to force such a move. |
| A call for an immediate probe proposed by Plaid Cymru and the SNP with support from the Tories and 12 Labour rebels was defeated by ministers on Tuesday. | A call for an immediate probe proposed by Plaid Cymru and the SNP with support from the Tories and 12 Labour rebels was defeated by ministers on Tuesday. |
| But afterwards, Defence Secretary Des Browne told the BBC there would be an inquiry "when the time is right". | But afterwards, Defence Secretary Des Browne told the BBC there would be an inquiry "when the time is right". |
| A government source later insisted this had been a "slip of the tongue". | |
| But Mr Browne's comments appeared to confirm hints from ministers and a Downing Street spokesman that an inquiry would be held once troops had left Iraq. | |
| Mr Blair is likely to face further calls for an inquiry during prime minister's question time on Wednesday despite winning the vote by 298 to 273. Twelve Labour MPs rebelled. | |
| 'Very long way' | 'Very long way' |
| The Conservatives supported the SNP/Plaid Cymru motion after the government said it would not support the Tories' own call for an inquiry within the next year. | The Conservatives supported the SNP/Plaid Cymru motion after the government said it would not support the Tories' own call for an inquiry within the next year. |
| Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett warned that agreeing to either inquiry now would send the wrong signal "at the wrong time" to Iraq. | |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Instead of being retrospective why not look into what can be done to help Iraq now? Qwerty, UK Send us your comments Key points: Iraq debate In full: Rebel Labour MPs | HAVE YOUR SAY Instead of being retrospective why not look into what can be done to help Iraq now? Qwerty, UK Send us your comments Key points: Iraq debate In full: Rebel Labour MPs |
| She urged MPs to remember that "our words... will be heard a very long way away. They can be heard by our troops who are already in great danger in Iraq". | She urged MPs to remember that "our words... will be heard a very long way away. They can be heard by our troops who are already in great danger in Iraq". |
| Mrs Beckett said there had been four inquiries related to the Iraq war already. She declined calls to give a firm commitment to hold another once UK troops had left the country. | |
| But speaking on the BBC's Newsnight programme, Labour MP Denis MacShane said: "I think it will take place... the full government inquiry, when we are out of Iraq and we can analyse in tranquillity all the lessons that need to be learned." | But speaking on the BBC's Newsnight programme, Labour MP Denis MacShane said: "I think it will take place... the full government inquiry, when we are out of Iraq and we can analyse in tranquillity all the lessons that need to be learned." |
| 'Thumbscrews' | 'Thumbscrews' |
| It was the first full Commons debate on Iraq since July 2004. | It was the first full Commons debate on Iraq since July 2004. |
| The SNP and Plaid Cymru motion called for a committee of seven senior MPs to review "the way in which the responsibilities of government were discharged in relation to Iraq". | The SNP and Plaid Cymru motion called for a committee of seven senior MPs to review "the way in which the responsibilities of government were discharged in relation to Iraq". |
| SNP MP Angus MacNeil said after the vote: "The government whips applied the thumbscrews. There is clear unrest in the House of Commons about this issue. | SNP MP Angus MacNeil said after the vote: "The government whips applied the thumbscrews. There is clear unrest in the House of Commons about this issue. |
| "It is unacceptable that there has been no Commons debate on this issue for three years, and if it had not been for us and Plaid Cymru there would have been no debate today." | "It is unacceptable that there has been no Commons debate on this issue for three years, and if it had not been for us and Plaid Cymru there would have been no debate today." |
| Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the government had "made a mistake" by not making a firm commitment to hold an inquiry at some point. | Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the government had "made a mistake" by not making a firm commitment to hold an inquiry at some point. |
| "None of us can credibly argue that there will not be lessons to be learnt of huge importance for this government and future governments, and ministers should have no hesitation in acknowledging that." | "None of us can credibly argue that there will not be lessons to be learnt of huge importance for this government and future governments, and ministers should have no hesitation in acknowledging that." |
| Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said it had been a hollow victory for the government, which "was on the defensive throughout". | |
| He said: "Ministers were unconvincing and their backbenchers unconvinced. There is deep unease about Iraq in the House of Commons, which the PrimeMinister ignores at his peril." |