PM Should Face Pre-Election Iraq Inquiry

Liberal Democrats have called on PM Gordon Brown to publicly submit evidence to the Iraq Inquiry prior to the General Election.

Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg said the electorate was "entitled" to know the then chancellor's role in the invasion.

Mr Brown, who "signed the cheques" for war, said he would appear whenever the Chilcot inquiry requested.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Clegg said: "The notion that your hearing should take place after the election in order that the Inquiry remains outside of party politics therefore no longer holds.

"On the contrary, the sense that you have been granted special treatment because of your position as Prime Minister will only serve to undermine the perceived independence of the Committee."

Mr Brown is not due to provide evidence to the panel until the summer.

"People have a right to know the truth about the part you played in this war before they cast their verdict on your Government’s record," Mr Clegg wrote to the PM.

"I urge you to confirm publicly that should Sir John Chilcot invite you to give evidence to the Inquiry ahead of the election you will agree to do so."

The Prime Minister today said he had "nothing to hide" from the panel.

"This is a full inquiry being run by Sir John Chilcot, people are being interviewed, rightly so, and asked for their evidence, but it is for the Chilcot committee to decide how they proceed and that is what he (Mr Clegg) proposed," he said.

Speaking at a hearing yesterday, Tony Blair's former chief press adviser Alastair Campbell said he stood over "every word" of the dossier that led to the invasion of Iraq.

(PR/BMcC)