Blair to face Iraq inquiry before election
Tony Blair to give evidence in public to Iraq war inquiry early next year
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Friday, 13, Nov 2009 09:41
By Richard James.
Tony Blair will give evidence in public to the Iraq war inquiry early in the new year, it has been confirmed.
Sir John Chilcot, who is chairing the inquiry, said last night the former prime minister and other government ministers would be asked to appear before his committee in the run-up to the general election.
The timing of the evidence sessions could prove damaging for Labour ahead of the election, with details of the controversial war waged during Mr Blair's time in office once again being debated over in public.
There is also a chance Mr Blair may be president of the European Council by the time he's called to give evidence, although his prospects for the job appear to have faded dramatically in recent weeks - in part due to unpopularity of the Iraq war.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, Sir John said the first five weeks of public evidence session will begin on November 24th and involve senior officials and military personnel.
"We will ask them to explain the main decisions and tasks, and their involvement," he said.
"That will give us a clear understanding of how policy developed and was implemented, and what consideration was given to alternative approaches."
Senior ministers, such as the former prime minister, will then be called upon in January, or early February.
The final report into the war is not expected to be published until the end of next year, or potentially even 2011.