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The Iraq war inquiry will be allowed to point the finger of blame at ministers, it was announced today.
In a new concession to critics, Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the Commons that Sir John Chilcot's team would be free to apportion blame for mistakes made.
“It will have complete freedom to write its own report,” he said. “It can praise or blame whoever it likes.”
He also confirmed that Tony Blair will be questioned in public about his role, after the former premier had said there was “no problem” in doing so.
The two pledges came as rebel Labour MPs thratened to unite with the Opposition to defeat the Government over its handling of the long-awaited official war inquiry.
Earlier, shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Tories would beef up the inquiry if they win the election before it finishes its work, including giving it powers to lay blame for blunders made in the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Opening an Opposition debate, he accused Gordon Brown of weakening the inquiry by appointing members who had no experience of military leadership or Cabinet-level decision-making.
He said: “The state of confusion is matched by widespread dissatisfaction across all parties and throughout the country about the high-handed way in which the Government established the inquiry. We are calling on the Government to formally revise its proposals and submit them to a proper debate.”
Labour rebels and Opposition MPs want evidence to be given under oath and for extra experts to be appointed as full-time inquiry members.
Earlier, Mr Brown bought off some rebels by opening the door to oaths being sworn and backed holding “as much of the proceedings as possible in public”. But no specific pledges were given.
Andrew MacKinlay, a Labour member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said it was “unacceptable” for key figures in the 2003 invasion not to swear an oath.
Reader views (4)
Milliband is wrong - this MUST be a trial and it MUST be one of impeachment. We need to set an example. There is no point in an inquiry unless those Ministers found guilty of deceiving the British people and/or of lying to Parliament are punished. There's simply no way around it, they must be made to feel real pain. Because without real pain, then they - and others - will surely do it again...!!!
- Joanna Jay, Walton on Thames, 24/06/2009 16:49
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I should NOT bank on the Iraq war inquiry being "independent" and being permitted to name, shame and blame appropriately.
I have stopped believing everything spouted by these hypocrites in government.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 24/06/2009 16:03
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what,s the odds our squeeky clean blair won,t give evidence???
- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france, 24/06/2009 15:12
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This inquiry must be held in public and thise testifying must do so under oath, by subpeona if necessary. The scope of the inquiry must be expanded to cover the exposure of those who have deliberately misled the British people and put jeopardised our safety in favour of their own self interest. There must also be a mechanism for punishing those people. The national security argument is completely bogus and every attempt will be made by McClown to use it as an excuse for yet another whitewash.
The British people are not interested in the disposition and capabilty of our weapons systems being made public, we are not interested in exposing the intimate workings of our security services. We all know that this would compromise our security.
However, we all know that Tony Bliar deliberatley misled Parliament and lied to us all. What we are interested in is to exactly what extent his lies went. and when is this vainglorious traitor and those complicit in hise treacherous deceit will be brought to justice for their betrayal of Britain.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 24/06/2009 11:20
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