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31/10/2006
Commons to debate Iraq investigation
The government is facing the prospect of a showdown in the House of Commons today should it refuse to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war.
In a debate that is the first to be held on the issue since 2004, Tories are backing an amended motion calling for a parliamentary investigation.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson has said that there will be no inquiry on the issue while British troops are deployed in Iraq as it could be deemed as a sign that the UK was not fully committed to the Iraq war and the ongoing strategy.
The spokesperson said: “The important thing is that we do not give any signal that we are anything less than fully determined to see the job through.”
The government’s position is that the Hutton inquiry, into the death of government armaments adviser David Kelly, and the Butler inquiry, into intelligence sources in the run up to the Iraq war, are sufficient.
The motion tabled by the SNP and Plaid Cymru, and backed by a substantial number of Labour MPs is calling for a committee of senior MPs to review the manner in which government responsibilities were discharged in relation to Iraq.
While favouring a wider-ranging investigation, involving senior military figures and top civil servants, Tories are prepared to place pressure on the government by supporting an amendment to the motion which calls for an inquiry in the next parliamentary session when the Iraq government is in place.
Opposition parties maintain it is not acceptable that the government have refused to permit a debate on the Iraq issue for over two years.
(SP)
In a debate that is the first to be held on the issue since 2004, Tories are backing an amended motion calling for a parliamentary investigation.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson has said that there will be no inquiry on the issue while British troops are deployed in Iraq as it could be deemed as a sign that the UK was not fully committed to the Iraq war and the ongoing strategy.
The spokesperson said: “The important thing is that we do not give any signal that we are anything less than fully determined to see the job through.”
The government’s position is that the Hutton inquiry, into the death of government armaments adviser David Kelly, and the Butler inquiry, into intelligence sources in the run up to the Iraq war, are sufficient.
The motion tabled by the SNP and Plaid Cymru, and backed by a substantial number of Labour MPs is calling for a committee of senior MPs to review the manner in which government responsibilities were discharged in relation to Iraq.
While favouring a wider-ranging investigation, involving senior military figures and top civil servants, Tories are prepared to place pressure on the government by supporting an amendment to the motion which calls for an inquiry in the next parliamentary session when the Iraq government is in place.
Opposition parties maintain it is not acceptable that the government have refused to permit a debate on the Iraq issue for over two years.
(SP)
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The Government's former chief legal adviser Lord Goldsmith did change his stance on the legality of the Iraq war prior to the invasion, he admitted today. Lord Goldsmith, the ex-Attorney General, said his first ruling that a second UN resolution was necessary had been "too cautious".
Goldsmith Before Iraq Inquiry
The Government's former chief legal adviser Lord Goldsmith did change his stance on the legality of the Iraq war prior to the invasion, he admitted today. Lord Goldsmith, the ex-Attorney General, said his first ruling that a second UN resolution was necessary had been "too cautious".
06 May 2004
Scarlett selected as MI6 boss
John Scarlett, the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, has been named as the next spy boss at MI6. Mr Scarlett, who gave evidence to the Hutton Inquiry in his capacity as JIC chairman, was in charge of producing the pre-war dossier on weapons of mass destruction for the government.
Scarlett selected as MI6 boss
John Scarlett, the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, has been named as the next spy boss at MI6. Mr Scarlett, who gave evidence to the Hutton Inquiry in his capacity as JIC chairman, was in charge of producing the pre-war dossier on weapons of mass destruction for the government.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
28 April 2005
Government publishes Iraq war legal advice
The government has published the legal advice provided by the Attorney General before the Iraq War, following the leak of some of the information to the media. The leaked information from Attorney General Lord Goldsmith’s March 7, 2003 document, which was never shown to parliament, showed that he had reservations about the legality of war in Iraq.
Government publishes Iraq war legal advice
The government has published the legal advice provided by the Attorney General before the Iraq War, following the leak of some of the information to the media. The leaked information from Attorney General Lord Goldsmith’s March 7, 2003 document, which was never shown to parliament, showed that he had reservations about the legality of war in Iraq.
24 March 2005
Government under pressure over Iraq war legality
Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has rejected opposition calls to publish government advice on the legality of the Iraq war. Mr Straw was forced to face MP's questions after the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith's role came under scrutiny following the publication of a Foreign Office lawyers, Elizabeth Wulmhurst's, resignation letter.
Government under pressure over Iraq war legality
Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has rejected opposition calls to publish government advice on the legality of the Iraq war. Mr Straw was forced to face MP's questions after the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith's role came under scrutiny following the publication of a Foreign Office lawyers, Elizabeth Wulmhurst's, resignation letter.
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