Blair to give evidence at Iraq War inquiry

Tony Blair will give evidence to the Iraq War inquiry early next year, it has been announced. The former Prime Minister will be among a series of senior Labour figures to be publicly grilled over Britain's involvement in the campaign to topple Saddam Hussein. The parents of soldiers killed in the conflict have already warned that they intend to confront the ex-PM at the hearings. Sir John Chilcot, who is chairing the investigation, indicated that Mr Blair and other Government ministers will be asked to appear before his committee early in the new year. There is an outside chance that Mr Blair might be the new President of the European Union by then, although his prospects for the job are currently slim. His appearance at the inquiry could prove damaging for Labour ahead of the General Election. In a statement today, Sir John said the first five weeks of public evidence sessions, which will begin on November 24, 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." Ministers, including Mr Blair, will be called in January and early February.

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ITN | November 13, 2009

Tags:. .campaign. .inquiry. .topple. .grilled. .indicated