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Downing Street today opened the door for the Iraq war inquiry to be held mostly in public.
No10 indicated it would reverse Gordon Brown's original plan to keep evidence sessions in private if that was recommended by inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot.
The U-turn is likely to come before a Commons debate and vote on Wednesday when opposition MPs will unite with rebels to demand public hearings.
A row erupted over reports former prime minister Tony Blair was partly behind Mr Brown's preference for private sessions. He was said to have contacted Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to warn that there would be a "show trial" of leading figures if the events were open to the public.
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 proceedings. An official said this morning that Sir John's decision would be final.
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.
But Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said a public inquiry could take years, pointing out that the Saville probe into Bloody Sunday had taken nine years already.
It came as military experts remained upbeat today about the chances of the other three British hostages in Iraq surviving their ordeal.
The handover of the remains of two of five British men kidnapped in Baghdad in 2007 suggests the remaining three are still alive, respected military expert Captain Doug Beattie said.
Reader views (5)
Is this going to wipe the grin off Blair's face?
- Scotty, Cambridge UK
Sadamm had no WMD to hide but now it seems, the US/UK axis have plenty to hide from the "International Community" Jesus was condemned to death at the desire of the Jews (Bible) and Sadamm was condemned to death by the same people I suppose.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
I'm sure Blair never believed he would have to account for his actions under oath - will be interesting to see whether his new found faith will compel him to tell 'the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth', somehow I doubt it.
How about putting Bush on the stand for a laugh, after all it was basically his decision to send British troops. Hopefully he should be able to remember his name at least.
- Andy Davids, London
This man is for turning
- Alex C, London
Gordon's tin-ear strikes again. Obviously the only way they can gauge public opinion is from the newspapers. Same thing happened to Hitler when he barricaded himself in his bunker......
- Mark, London
