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| Tories lose Iraq war inquiry vote | Tories lose Iraq war inquiry vote |
| (28 minutes later) | |
| The prime minister has survived a Commons call by the Conservatives for an immediate inquiry into the Iraq war. | The prime minister has survived a Commons call by the Conservatives for an immediate inquiry into the Iraq war. |
| MPs rejected an attempt to force an independent probe, despite support from the Lib Dems and 12 Labour rebels. | MPs rejected an attempt to force an independent probe, despite support from the Lib Dems and 12 Labour rebels. |
| The government's majority of 67 was more than halved as the motion was defeated by 299 to 271 votes. | The government's majority of 67 was more than halved as the motion was defeated by 299 to 271 votes. |
| A government amendment, recognising an inquiry will be "appropriate" but only after "important operations" in Iraq end, was passed by 299 to 259 votes. | A government amendment, recognising an inquiry will be "appropriate" but only after "important operations" in Iraq end, was passed by 299 to 259 votes. |
| See list of Labour rebels | |
| Gordon Brown had said before Tuesday's votes that there would be an inquiry when it was appropriate, but to hold one now would be a diversion for UK troops serving in Iraq. | Gordon Brown had said before Tuesday's votes that there would be an inquiry when it was appropriate, but to hold one now would be a diversion for UK troops serving in Iraq. |
| The Conservatives used the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq and their opposition-led debate to step up pressure on Mr Brown to hold an independent, public inquiry. | The Conservatives used the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq and their opposition-led debate to step up pressure on Mr Brown to hold an independent, public inquiry. |
| Opening the debate, shadow foreign secretary William Hague said now was the right time for a probe, before files and e-mails disappeared and memories faded. | Opening the debate, shadow foreign secretary William Hague said now was the right time for a probe, before files and e-mails disappeared and memories faded. |
| He told MPs the government would have no choice but to hold an inquiry if they voted for one. | He told MPs the government would have no choice but to hold an inquiry if they voted for one. |
| There is agreement that an inquiry into the Iraq war will be necessary - the dispute between us does not concern substance but timing David MilibandForeign Secretary Q&A: Iraq War inquiries | There is agreement that an inquiry into the Iraq war will be necessary - the dispute between us does not concern substance but timing David MilibandForeign Secretary Q&A: Iraq War inquiries |
| He said he did not regret voting for the US-led invasion in 2003, but it was "vital" to learn "all possible lessons" from the decisions that led to war and the failures in post-war planning. | |
| He rejected claims that an inquiry would divert attention from the rebuilding of Iraq as "ludicrous". | He rejected claims that an inquiry would divert attention from the rebuilding of Iraq as "ludicrous". |
| And he also rejected the government's argument that it would damage the position of UK troops in Iraq. | And he also rejected the government's argument that it would damage the position of UK troops in Iraq. |
| Mr Hague told MPs: "The truth is that the case for commencing an inquiry of the type or of a similar type to the one we are calling for today has become overwhelming. | Mr Hague told MPs: "The truth is that the case for commencing an inquiry of the type or of a similar type to the one we are calling for today has become overwhelming. |
| "If ministers continue to argue against it they will be isolated voices, holding out against a preponderance of national opinion which embraces every other party and many members of their own." | "If ministers continue to argue against it they will be isolated voices, holding out against a preponderance of national opinion which embraces every other party and many members of their own." |
| 'Mission not accomplished' | 'Mission not accomplished' |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted that an inquiry would be necessary, but not until British troops had finished their work in Iraq. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted that an inquiry would be necessary, but not until British troops had finished their work in Iraq. |
| He said: "The dispute between us does not concern substance but timing." | He said: "The dispute between us does not concern substance but timing." |
| He said "most people" would see an inquiry as a "bizarre choice of priority now" given current events in Basra, where the remaining British troops in Iraq are stationed. | He said "most people" would see an inquiry as a "bizarre choice of priority now" given current events in Basra, where the remaining British troops in Iraq are stationed. |
| He added: "The war itself went better than most people expected but the building of the peace afterwards has gone much worse than people expected. | He added: "The war itself went better than most people expected but the building of the peace afterwards has gone much worse than people expected. |
| "The mission has not yet been accomplished." | "The mission has not yet been accomplished." |
| The Tory motion called for a full inquiry by an independent committee of privy councillors to be established now. | The Tory motion called for a full inquiry by an independent committee of privy councillors to be established now. |
| The government's majority was almost halved to 35 last June when MPs rejected a similar Conservative motion by 288 votes to 253. | The government's majority was almost halved to 35 last June when MPs rejected a similar Conservative motion by 288 votes to 253. |
| Prior to Tuesday's vote, Edward Davey , Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, said the Tories would stand a better chance of winning if they admitted regret for voting for the war in the first place. | Prior to Tuesday's vote, Edward Davey , Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, said the Tories would stand a better chance of winning if they admitted regret for voting for the war in the first place. |
| Mr Davey said "we owe an inquiry to the people who have died" in Iraq and delaying it was "nothing short of a scandal". | Mr Davey said "we owe an inquiry to the people who have died" in Iraq and delaying it was "nothing short of a scandal". |
| The 12 Labour MPs who supported Conservative calls for a full-scale inquiry were: | The 12 Labour MPs who supported Conservative calls for a full-scale inquiry were: |
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