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Brown to outline Iraq war inquiry | Brown to outline Iraq war inquiry |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to announce details of an inquiry into the Iraq war in the Commons at 1530 BST. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to announce details of an inquiry into the Iraq war in the Commons at 1530 BST. |
Opposition parties - and many Labour MPs - have been calling for an inquiry since shortly after the 2003 invasion. | Opposition parties - and many Labour MPs - have been calling for an inquiry since shortly after the 2003 invasion. |
They will now be watching closely to see whether the long-awaited inquiry is to be held in public or private. | They will now be watching closely to see whether the long-awaited inquiry is to be held in public or private. |
In March, ministers said they would hold an inquiry into the war "as soon as practically possible" after the bulk of UK service personnel left Iraq. | In March, ministers said they would hold an inquiry into the war "as soon as practically possible" after the bulk of UK service personnel left Iraq. |
Wide remit | Wide remit |
Mr Brown's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister's statement will be on the end of the UK's military mission in Iraq and an inquiry into the conflict." | Mr Brown's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister's statement will be on the end of the UK's military mission in Iraq and an inquiry into the conflict." |
A ceremony was held on 30 April in Basra to mark the official end of the six-year British military mission in Iraq. | A ceremony was held on 30 April in Basra to mark the official end of the six-year British military mission in Iraq. |
The voice of Rose Gentle, whose soldier son Gordon died in Iraq | The voice of Rose Gentle, whose soldier son Gordon died in Iraq |
In 2008 the government defeated Conservative attempts to force a public inquiry, saying it would be a "diversion" for UK troops serving in Iraq. | |
And in February Justice Secretary Jack Straw vetoed the publication of minutes of cabinet meetings discussing the legality of the war in the run-up to the invasion. | And in February Justice Secretary Jack Straw vetoed the publication of minutes of cabinet meetings discussing the legality of the war in the run-up to the invasion. |
In March David Miliband, the foreign secretary, said the government was committed to holding a "comprehensive" inquiry into the conduct of the war and its aftermath. | In March David Miliband, the foreign secretary, said the government was committed to holding a "comprehensive" inquiry into the conduct of the war and its aftermath. |
Previously, Conservative leader David Cameron has called for a "robust, independent" inquiry into the war similar to that conducted after the Falklands conflict, with a wide remit and the power to question ministers. | Previously, Conservative leader David Cameron has called for a "robust, independent" inquiry into the war similar to that conducted after the Falklands conflict, with a wide remit and the power to question ministers. |
Hutton and Butler inquiries | Hutton and Butler inquiries |
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg - who has previously threatened that his party would boycott any private inquiry - told BBC Radio 5 Live that the process of any inquiry which was "done openly and enjoys public confidence" was as important as its eventual conclusions. | |
"The legitimacy of the whole exercise really depends very much on how the inquiry is conducted," Mr Clegg added. | |
Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq, told the BBC that she believed the inquiry had to be held in public. | Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq, told the BBC that she believed the inquiry had to be held in public. |
IRAQ INQUIRIES Iraq invasion: March 2003Hutton Inquiry: Jan 2004Butler Inquiry: July 2004 At-a-glance: Butler report In depth: Hutton report | IRAQ INQUIRIES Iraq invasion: March 2003Hutton Inquiry: Jan 2004Butler Inquiry: July 2004 At-a-glance: Butler report In depth: Hutton report |
She said: "It can't be held behind closed doors. | She said: "It can't be held behind closed doors. |
"It was our sons that were sent there, our sons that have been killed." | "It was our sons that were sent there, our sons that have been killed." |
The reasons for going to war in Iraq - including the now discredited claim that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction which could be used within 45 minutes of an order being given - have been a source of long-standing controversy. | The reasons for going to war in Iraq - including the now discredited claim that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction which could be used within 45 minutes of an order being given - have been a source of long-standing controversy. |
Two inquiries - the Hutton and Butler inquiries - have already been held into aspects of the Iraq war. | Two inquiries - the Hutton and Butler inquiries - have already been held into aspects of the Iraq war. |
The Butler inquiry looked at intelligence failures before the war while the Hutton inquiry examined the circumstances leading to the death of former government adviser David Kelly. | The Butler inquiry looked at intelligence failures before the war while the Hutton inquiry examined the circumstances leading to the death of former government adviser David Kelly. |