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Iraq inquiry could start later this year, signals Miliband
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor25 Mar 2009
FOREIGN Secretary David Miliband was expected to pave the way for a full inquiry into the Iraq war today amid fresh signs that the probe will begin this year.
Nearly six years after the American and British coalition toppled Saddam Hussein, the Government is poised to announce an inquiry once Britain's remaining combat troops are withdrawn in July.
Gordon Brown has promised that a detailed probe into the circumstances leading up to the conflict and its aftermath will be started only once Britain's armed forces are out of harm's way.
Critics have feared that the inquiry would be kicked into the long grass because about 400 British troops will stay on in Iraq for several years.
But Mr Miliband was set to make clear that the Government will not wait for every last soldier to be pulled out.
The Prime Minister announced at the end of last year that there would be a fundamental change in the British forces' mission in Iraq by 31 May. He said that a rapid withdrawal of British troops would take the total from about 4,100 to under 400 by 31 July.
The exact nature of the inquiry is still to be determined, but many Labour MPs want it to be as public as possible. Senior Labour figures are keen to use the inquiry to draw a line under the Blair years.
In a Commons vote today, the Tories will table a motion stressing that there is no "reasonable impediment" to Mr Brown announcing an inquiry now. It calls for an independent committee of privy councillors to review the way in which the responsibilities of government were discharged in relation to Iraq and to make recommendations on lessons to be drawn for the future.
Mr Miliband does not want his hands tied by the vote, but rebel Labour MPs are set to back the Conservative motion. When a similar vote was held last spring, the Government defeated the move by 299 to 271 despite 12 Labour rebels voting with the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
A government amendment, accepting an inquiry would be "appropriate" after "important" operations in Iraq were completed, was passed at the time.
Mr Brown said last year that "there will come a time when it is appropriate to hold an inquiry," although he stressed that Iraq was still "fragile" and he did not want to divert attention from supporting its government.
Reader views (4)
Sounds like a matter of tactics - mix the whitewash and apply it immediately before the next general election.
- Robert El-Cid., Hull, East Yorks.,, 26/03/2009 09:32
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There is absoluteley no reason why this inquiry cannot start now. It would not be damaging to our troops and it would not be without precedent. Besides, it will take at least a year to reach its conclusion, which will be pre-determined by Soviet Liebour carefully restricting the scope of its investigation.
Perhaps it would be better to wait until after the most mendacious British government in history has been booted out of office? There is no chance of the truth being revealed whilst their slippery hands are still on the levers of power.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 25/03/2009 17:31
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Now ther will be a rush to get the whitewash underway before a conserative government is installed and the truth is told
- Mark Devries, Bangkok Thailand, 25/03/2009 14:29
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Seriously, is anyone expecting anything other than a whitewash exonerating the government?
- Marianne, SW France, 25/03/2009 11:52
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