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Beckett warns as MPs debate Iraq Iraq inquiry call rejected by MPs
(about 1 hour later)
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has warned the House of Commons "this is not the time" for an inquiry into Iraq. An attempt to force the government to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war has failed in the House of Commons.
MPs are debating a Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru call for a probe into what Plaid's Adam Price called the "monumental catastrophe" of the war. MPs voted by a majority of 25 against a motion put forward by the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru calling for an immediate probe.
The Tories may support the motion if ministers do not agree to a broader inquiry once UK troops have left Iraq. Plaid Cymru's Adam Price said such action was needed after the "monumental catastrophe" of the war.
But Mrs Beckett warned that agreeing to either inquiry now would send the wrong signal "at the wrong time" to Iraq. But Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett warned it was "not the time", as an inquiry could undermine troops' morale.
'Very long way'
The government was supported by 298 MPs and opposed by 273.
The Tories supported the SNP/Plaid motion after the government said it would not support their own call for an inquiry within the next year.
Mrs Beckett warned that agreeing to either inquiry now would send the wrong signal "at the wrong time" to Iraq.
She urged MPs to remember that "our words... will be heard a very long way away. They can be heard by our troops who are already in great danger in Iraq".She urged MPs to remember that "our words... will be heard a very long way away. They can be heard by our troops who are already in great danger in Iraq".
She added: "They can be heard by the Iraqi people and by their government."
'Learn the lessons'
Mrs Beckett, leading for the government in a debate which is due to culminate in a vote at about 1910 GMT, said there had been four inquiries related to the Iraq war already.
She declined calls for a commitment to hold an inquiry once British troops had left Iraq, although Downing Street had earlier said "there is no doubt that at the end of our period there (Iraq) people will want to look back".
What would demoralise soldiers in the field is the belief that the government have put us in a bloody quagmire, and have no idea whatsoever how to get out of it Alex SalmondSNP Key points: Iraq debateWhat would demoralise soldiers in the field is the belief that the government have put us in a bloody quagmire, and have no idea whatsoever how to get out of it Alex SalmondSNP Key points: Iraq debate
Opening the debate, Mr Price said there had been a breakdown in the system of government, which Parliament must fix. Mrs Beckett said there had been four inquiries related to the Iraq war already.
He said: "The issue at its heart is far bigger than party politics - it's about accountability, it's about the monumental catastrophe of the Iraq war - the worst foreign policy disaster certainly since Suez, possibly since Munich and it's about the morass in which we regrettably still find ourselves." She declined calls for a commitment to hold another once UK troops had left country.
'Not the time' But Mr Price told MPs: "The issue at its heart is far bigger than party politics - it's about accountability, it's about the monumental catastrophe of the Iraq war - the worst foreign policy disaster certainly since Suez, possibly since Munich and it's about the morass in which we regrettably still find ourselves."
It is the first full Commons debate on Iraq since July 2004. 'Bloody quagmire'
The SNP and Plaid motion calls for a committee of seven senior MPs to review "the way in which the responsibilities of government were discharged in relation to Iraq". It was the first full Commons had had a full debate on Iraq since July 2004.
The SNP and Plaid motion called for a committee of seven senior MPs to review "the way in which the responsibilities of government were discharged in relation to Iraq".
HAVE YOUR SAY Instead of being retrospective why not look into what can be done to help Iraq now? Qwerty, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Instead of being retrospective why not look into what can be done to help Iraq now? Qwerty, UK Send us your comments
The wording matches a motion from November 2005, which was signed by more than 160 MPs of all parties, including 32 from Labour. SNP leader Alex Salmond said: "The idea is to restore parliamentary accountability over a war which has obviously gone badly wrong. We are stuck in a bloody quagmire in Iraq with no end in sight."
If that number of Labour MPs rebel, and all non-Labour MPs vote for the motion, the government could be defeated, although that is unlikely as few ruling party MPs tend to rebel on others' motions. The Conservatives favoured an investigation, similar to the Franks inquiry carried out after the Falklands war, involving former generals and civil servants rather than just MPs.
If Mr Blair was defeated, an inquiry would go ahead, although it could be overturned at a later date, possibly through a confidence vote. They said it should take place in about a year's time, by when ministers have said Iraqi security forces should be taking over responsibilities from British troops.
SNP leader Alex Salmond said government arguments that an inquiry could have consequences for troops was "desperate stuff". Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the government "made a mistake" by not making a firm commitment to hold an inquiry at some point.
"Debates and inquiries should take place when things are happening. Hopefully then there is a chance to do something to improve the situation."
'Entirely legitimate'
The Conservatives favour an investigation, similar to the Franks inquiry carried out after the Falklands war, involving former generals and civil servants rather than just MPs.
They say it should take place in about a year's time, by when ministers have said Iraqi security forces should be taking over responsibilities from British troops.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said it was important to look at the aftermath of the toppling of Saddam, from the successful elections to the failure to reconstruct Iraq's economy.
He said the foreign secretary had "made a mistake" by not making a firm commitment to hold an inquiry at some point.
"None of us can credibly argue that there will not be lessons to be learnt of huge importance for this government and future governments, and ministers should have no hesitation in acknowledging that.""None of us can credibly argue that there will not be lessons to be learnt of huge importance for this government and future governments, and ministers should have no hesitation in acknowledging that."
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Michael Moore, said it was "entirely legitimate" to ask questions of ministers, without undermining troops' morale. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Michael Moore said now was the right time for an inquiry.
"We want to know that the government actually have a proper plan for Iraq that's got milestones... that recognises we cannot be there indefinitely," he said. He added: "There needs to be accountability for the mistakes that were made and there needs to be lessons learned."