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Tories to press for Iraq inquiry Tories to press for Iraq inquiry
(about 6 hours later)
The Conservatives are set to use a Commons debate to call for an immediate inquiry into the war in Iraq. The Conservatives are set to use a House of Commons debate to call for an inquiry into the war in Iraq.
It is thought they want to increase the pressure on Gordon Brown to say what he will do when he becomes prime minister.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague will push for a hearing by senior politicians, with powers to summon officials and military commanders.Shadow foreign secretary William Hague will push for a hearing by senior politicians, with powers to summon officials and military commanders.
The government is expected to reject the call, but correspondents say it may cause a rebellion by some Labour MPs. He told the BBC there might be lessons which could be applied to Afghanistan.
Mr Hague said the motion did not say an inquiry should be held immediately and was about the principle of holding one. Some Labour MPs may back the motion.
Downing Street has previously said it will hold an inquiry, but not while UK troops are still in the country.Downing Street has previously said it will hold an inquiry, but not while UK troops are still in the country.
Mr Hague will argue that it should be along the lines of the inquiry into the Falklands War, a wide-ranging probe chaired by philosopher Oliver Franks.Mr Hague will argue that it should be along the lines of the inquiry into the Falklands War, a wide-ranging probe chaired by philosopher Oliver Franks.
Pressurising LabourPressurising Labour
The Tories say an Iraq inquiry would need to be conducted by a committee of senior politicians of all parties - with the power to summon other politicians, officials and military personnel.The Tories say an Iraq inquiry would need to be conducted by a committee of senior politicians of all parties - with the power to summon other politicians, officials and military personnel.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is expected to dismiss the call and argue there have already been four inquiries into other aspects of the war, and it would be wrong to distract from the efforts of troops on the ground. Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is expected to dismiss any call for an immediate inquiry.
The BBC's Carole Walker says the government should win a vote on the issue comfortably but says the Tories want to increase the pressure on Mr Brown to state his position. She has argued before that there have already been four inquiries into other aspects of the war, and it would be wrong to distract from the efforts of troops on the ground.
Sources close to Mr Brown have told the BBC his position reflects existing policy - that there may be a time and place to consider an inquiry, but not at the moment. Although there is no timing specified in the motion, Mr Hague told BBC Radio's 4 that there had been inquiries and robust debate on things that had not gone well while both world wars were in progress.
He also said that it was important not to wait too long as memories of what happened in 2003 could fade and e-mails could disappear.
Sources close to prime minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown have told the BBC his position reflects existing policy - that there may be a time and place to consider an inquiry, but not at the moment.
WMD claimsWMD claims
Opposition parties, as well as human rights groups and anti-war campaigners, have been calling for an inquiry into the Iraq war for several years.Opposition parties, as well as human rights groups and anti-war campaigners, have been calling for an inquiry into the Iraq war for several years.
They want the government, and particularly Prime Minister Tony Blair, to be scrutinised over the justification for joining the US-led invasion in March 2003.They want the government, and particularly Prime Minister Tony Blair, to be scrutinised over the justification for joining the US-led invasion in March 2003.
Initially, officials said that Iraq's leader Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), and used this as the basis of their case for going to war. Initially, officials said that Iraq's leader Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and used this as the basis of their case for going to war.
After a UN-led search discovered no WMDs, critics rounded on the government claiming the country had been lied to.After a UN-led search discovered no WMDs, critics rounded on the government claiming the country had been lied to.
In November 2006, the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru tabled a motion for an immediate inquiry. But MPs rejected the move after a vote.In November 2006, the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru tabled a motion for an immediate inquiry. But MPs rejected the move after a vote.