Iraq war inquiry: Blair to be probed
Updated on 13 November 2009
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be called to give evidence publicly to the Iraq war inquiry early next year, chairman Sir John Chilcot announces.
Sir John Chilcot said indicated that Blair and various other government ministers will be asked to appear before the committee early in the new year.
A number of senior Labour figures will be grilled at the inquiry which could prove damaging for prospects at the general election which is expected in the spring.
Parents of soldiers killed in the conflict have already warned that they intend to confront Blair at the hearings. The report will not be published until the end of 2010, or even 2011.
The inquiry, which will cover the entire eight-year period from the build-up to the war to the withdrawal of British troops, was announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown last June.
The initial plan for it to sit privately and not apportion blame had to be abandoned amid a cacophony of protest from senior military and political figures.
In a statement Sir John said the first five weeks of public evidence sessions, which will begin on 24 November, would hear from senior officials and military officers.
"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."
After that first phase of public hearings, there will be private gatherings and analysis before a further round of public sessions in mid-2010.
"In some cases, those hearings will be used to invite witnesses to discuss issues in more detail than in earlier evidence, or to pursue further lines of inquiry," Sir John said.
He added that, during the first phase of the hearings, the inquiry would seek first-hand accounts on the "thematic issues" that need addressing.
They included equipment, personnel, the "key decisions taken and their rationale", the legal basis for military action, policy and communication, he said.
Sir John insisted his committed would be "thorough, rigorous, fair and frank", but added that "no-one is on trial".
"It is not for us to make findings of guilt or innocence - only a court can do that," he said.
"I have, however, made clear that we will not shy away, in our report, from making criticisms - of individuals or systems - where that is warranted."
