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Tories to press for Iraq inquiry Tories to press for Iraq inquiry
(9 minutes later)
The Conservatives are set to use a House of Commons debate to call for an 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.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague wants senior politicians to carry out the inquiry with powers to summon officials and military commanders.Shadow foreign secretary William Hague wants senior politicians to carry out the inquiry with powers to summon officials and military commanders.
He told the BBC the motion was about the principle of holding an inquiry, rather than demanding one now.He told the BBC the motion was about the principle of holding an inquiry, rather than demanding one now.
Ministers say they recognise the need to learn lessons, but say an inquiry should not be held with troops in Iraq.Ministers say they recognise the need to learn lessons, but say an inquiry should not be held with troops in Iraq.
Mr Hague argues that the inquiry should be along the lines of the inquiry into the Falklands War, a wide-ranging probe chaired by philosopher Oliver Franks.Mr Hague argues that the inquiry should be along the lines of the inquiry into the Falklands War, a wide-ranging probe chaired by philosopher Oliver Franks.
Pressurising 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.
The wrong time to even consider an inquiry is when you have to give all your effort to consider your troops on the ground Gordon Brown
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.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.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. But prime-minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown, who is in Baghdad, said: "The wrong time to even consider an inquiry is when you have to give all your effort to consider your troops on the ground."
Votes due Too narrowly focused
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Brown, who is in Baghdad, was expected to say later that steps must be taken to ensure that in future all security information used must be independent of the political process and must be verified if made public. However he said more could be done to reassure the public about intelligence and its use and said it should be kept "independent of the political process".
An amendment to the Tory motion put forward by Tony Blair "recognises that there have already been four separate independent committees of inquiry into military action in Iraq; further recognises the importance of learning all possible lessons from military action in Iraq and its aftermath".An amendment to the Tory motion put forward by Tony Blair "recognises that there have already been four separate independent committees of inquiry into military action in Iraq; further recognises the importance of learning all possible lessons from military action in Iraq and its aftermath".
It goes on to say that the Commons "declines at this time, whilst the whole effort of the government and the armed forces is directed towards improving the condition of Iraq, to make a proposal for a further inquiry which would divert attention from this vital task".It goes on to say that the Commons "declines at this time, whilst the whole effort of the government and the armed forces is directed towards improving the condition of Iraq, to make a proposal for a further inquiry which would divert attention from this vital task".
MPs will vote on the government amendment during the debate which is expected to begin at 1630 BST (1530 GMT).MPs will vote on the government amendment during the debate which is expected to begin at 1630 BST (1530 GMT).
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 say the inquiries - such as into the death of Dr David Kelly - referred to by ministers have been too narrowly focused and without sufficient independence and power to ensure the lessons of the decision to go to war, and its aftermath can be clearly learned.They say the inquiries - such as into the death of Dr David Kelly - referred to by ministers have been too narrowly focused and without sufficient independence and power to ensure the lessons of the decision to go to war, and its aftermath can be clearly learned.
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.