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Brown denies Iraq inquiry U-turn Brown denies Iraq inquiry U-turn
(40 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has denied Conservative claims his stance on whether to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war in public has undergone a "U-turn in slow motion".Gordon Brown has denied Conservative claims his stance on whether to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war in public has undergone a "U-turn in slow motion".
The PM had said it would be held in private for security reasons but later said some sessions could be in public.The PM had said it would be held in private for security reasons but later said some sessions could be in public.
He said he wanted the inquiry to have "all the evidence that is necessary" including confidential material.He said he wanted the inquiry to have "all the evidence that is necessary" including confidential material.
Meanwhile the Lib Dems say they have been told former PM Tony Blair will be asked to give most evidence in public.Meanwhile the Lib Dems say they have been told former PM Tony Blair will be asked to give most evidence in public.
Mr Brown faced widespread criticism of his original announcement to MPs that the inquiry would be held in private from some military families, Lord Butler, former PM Sir John Major and others.Mr Brown faced widespread criticism of his original announcement to MPs that the inquiry would be held in private from some military families, Lord Butler, former PM Sir John Major and others.
'Complete candour''Complete candour'
Days later Mr Brown wrote to the inquiry's chairman, Sir John Chilcot, saying it was up to him to decide if some sessions should be held in public.Days later Mr Brown wrote to the inquiry's chairman, Sir John Chilcot, saying it was up to him to decide if some sessions should be held in public.
On Monday Sir John replied saying he felt it was "essential to hold as much of the proceedings of the inquiry as possible in public, consistent with the need to protect national security and to ensure and enable complete candour in the oral and written evidence from witnesses".On Monday Sir John replied saying he felt it was "essential to hold as much of the proceedings of the inquiry as possible in public, consistent with the need to protect national security and to ensure and enable complete candour in the oral and written evidence from witnesses".
I'm trying to find a way of getting an inquiry that can satisfy people that we're doing everything in our power to get to the truth Gordon BrownI'm trying to find a way of getting an inquiry that can satisfy people that we're doing everything in our power to get to the truth Gordon Brown
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague called it "a climbdown of massive proportions" by Mr Brown who he said had been "executing a U-turn in slow motion ever since announcing the inquiry".Shadow foreign secretary William Hague called it "a climbdown of massive proportions" by Mr Brown who he said had been "executing a U-turn in slow motion ever since announcing the inquiry".
Asked if the Tories were right that he had undergone a U-turn, Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "No, I don't think so."Asked if the Tories were right that he had undergone a U-turn, Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "No, I don't think so."
He said the scope of the inquiry - covering eight years of a "very controversial issue for Britain" - meant it would always be difficult.He said the scope of the inquiry - covering eight years of a "very controversial issue for Britain" - meant it would always be difficult.
But he said he had always said there would be a "process of consultation" with other party leaders and senior MPs.But he said he had always said there would be a "process of consultation" with other party leaders and senior MPs.
"I'm trying to find a way of getting an inquiry that can satisfy people that we're doing everything in our power to get to the truth while at the same time I think everybody understands ... you've got to take into account national security considerations and that you've got serving military who will want to give evidence .. sometimes in private.""I'm trying to find a way of getting an inquiry that can satisfy people that we're doing everything in our power to get to the truth while at the same time I think everybody understands ... you've got to take into account national security considerations and that you've got serving military who will want to give evidence .. sometimes in private."
Military expertsMilitary experts
He said the Conservatives had been asking for a Franks-style inquiry - a reference to the committee that reviewed the Falklands War - which was partly held in private.He said the Conservatives had been asking for a Franks-style inquiry - a reference to the committee that reviewed the Falklands War - which was partly held in private.
He added: "I think the way we are doing it allows those people who have got something to say, sometimes that is confidential or effects our relationships with other countries, to be able to say it directly to Chilcot.He added: "I think the way we are doing it allows those people who have got something to say, sometimes that is confidential or effects our relationships with other countries, to be able to say it directly to Chilcot.
"He then has the chance to look at all the papers that are security papers as well as confidential and private papers - but at the same time there is now scope for people to give evidence in public if that is what he chooses.""He then has the chance to look at all the papers that are security papers as well as confidential and private papers - but at the same time there is now scope for people to give evidence in public if that is what he chooses."
FROM THE WORLD AT ONE Listen to the whole interview
Meanwhile Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has met Sir John and was told former PM Mr Blair would be asked to give some public evidence, apart from on sensitive issues of national security.Meanwhile Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has met Sir John and was told former PM Mr Blair would be asked to give some public evidence, apart from on sensitive issues of national security.
Sir John also said witnesses would not be made to give evidence under oath as it was a non-judicial inquiry but an equivalent format would be found.Sir John also said witnesses would not be made to give evidence under oath as it was a non-judicial inquiry but an equivalent format would be found.
And the party says he said he would make up for the gaps on the inquiry panel by asking military experts for help.And the party says he said he would make up for the gaps on the inquiry panel by asking military experts for help.
Mr Clegg's spokesman said Sir John had made "a sincere attempt to make up for the shortcomings of Gordon Brown's initial announcement".Mr Clegg's spokesman said Sir John had made "a sincere attempt to make up for the shortcomings of Gordon Brown's initial announcement".
But he said Mr Clegg wanted guarantees that there would be proper cross examination of witnesses.But he said Mr Clegg wanted guarantees that there would be proper cross examination of witnesses.
Downing Street and Tony Blair's spokesman have dismissed reports that the decision to hold the inquiry in private was prompted by pressure from the ex-prime minister.Downing Street and Tony Blair's spokesman have dismissed reports that the decision to hold the inquiry in private was prompted by pressure from the ex-prime minister.