Government accused over Iraq probe

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan acknowledged that the controversy over the inquiry "looked awful" but was partly due to a lack of understanding about the power and autonomy that would be given to chairman Sir John Chilcot.

It was reported that former Prime Minister Tony Blair urged Gordon Brown to hold the Iraq War inquiry in secret.

Mr Brown has faced severe criticism for announcing on Monday that the inquiry would be held behind closed doors and was forced into a partial climbdown days later.

After an array of senior figures denounced the decision to hold hearings in private, Downing Street said on Thursday that Sir John would have some discretion in how he conducted proceedings.

Mr Khan, Britain's most senior Muslim politician, told BBC1's Politics Show: "I suspect there will be many, many parts of the inquiry held in public."

Asked to admit that the situation "did not look good", Mr Khan conceded: "It looked awful. One of the reasons was a lack of understanding of what chairs of inquiries do."

He added: "The terms of reference were set out, from 2001 to 2009, Sir John will decide how his inquiry is held."

Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who was Foreign Secretary at the time of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, said he would have no objection to giving most of his evidence in public.

He said the indications from Sir John were that it would be "mixed".