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Gordon Brown escapes Iraq inquiry grilling until after poll
Joe Murphy, Political Editor23 Dec 2009
The Prime Minister's grilling by the Iraq War inquiry was today dramatically postponed until after next year's general election.
The decision was taken to protect Gordon Brown from being criticised by David Cameron and Nick Clegg over anything he might tell the inquiry in the run-up to polling day.
Two other senior Cabinet ministers Foreign Secretary David Miliband and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander are also being spared cross-examination until after voting is over.
But Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell and senior figures who have all left their jobs will be called during January and early February, it was announced.
Sir John Chilcott's inquiry team confirmed that the Prime Minister will be summoned for public questioning about his role in the preparations for the 2003 invasion and its aftermath. Mr Brown stayed out of the spotlight for most of the build-up but is said to have strongly backed Mr Blair's decision at an eve-of-invasion Cabinet meeting.
In a statement, Sir John's spokesman said: The committee believes that only after the general election can these ministers give their evidence fully without the hearings being used as a platform for political advantage.
For the same reason, the committee will suspend its hearings from February until after the election is over.
During January it will take evidence from Mr Blair, by far the most important witness. His former press secretary Mr Campbell will also be questioned on his involvement in the dossier claiming wrongly that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, as well as his knowledge of talks between No 10 and the administration of President George W Bush.
Three former defence secretaries, John Hutton, Geoff Hoon and Des Browne, will be called with former foreign secretaries Margaret Beckett and Jack Straw. Lord Goldsmith, the former attorney general, is expected to confirm that he warned a war would be illegal.
The Chilcott inquiry is examining Iraq policy from 2001 to the withdrawal of British forces this year. Sir John's spokesman said he had come under no pressure from No 10 to postpone Mr Brown's evidence.
Reader views (6)
In a 3 way telethon it will be great to see brown pummelled by the 2 others for evading questioning...what a PR own goal!
- Amoreno, Luxembourg, 28/01/2010 13:17
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A fine dispaly of courage by the Prime Minister. He praiises) alittle falsely I suspect) the courage of the armed forces but displays none himself.
- Colin Macpherson, Gramat France, 04/01/2010 13:38
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He is as culpable as Blair and Campbell etc. because he supported both wars and his negligence since then as both Ch.of Ex. and Prime Minister in failing to provide sufficient funding for equipment that has cost servicemens lives and that is a fact. Support for this statement is provided by significant numbers of senior military personnel in positions to confirm the facts. Once again he is being protected by the politicised Civil Service !!!
- Nick Holland, glasgow, 23/12/2009 16:43
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It matters not whether he is grilled before or after the election as he will undoubtedly be kicked out of office on election day.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK, 23/12/2009 15:15
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It is clear then that Brown has an awful lot to hide and answer for.
- Ian B, Reading, England, 23/12/2009 13:49
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Why wait until after the election? If these people have nothing to hide, they've nothing to fear. At least, that's what they're always telling us....
- Chuck Unsworth, London, 23/12/2009 13:02
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