Iraq War Inquiry Release "at least four years overdue"

Iraq inquiry delay very serious, says senior Tory

15 May 2014 - Delays to the publication of the official inquiry into the Iraq war have become "very serious", the head of an influential Commons committee has said.

Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin said the report was "at least four years overdue" and an explanation was needed.

Mr Jenkin, who chairs the Public Administration Committee, urged ministers to "sort this out".

The government said it had been in talks with the inquiry and that the process would end as soon as possible.

Sir John Chilcot's inquiry into the war started in 2009 but two years later it was still taking evidence from key witnesses.

There is increasing frustration that Sir John still has not published his report.

'Hold-up' read more>>>

Chilcot inquiry: MPs demand explanation for four year delay of report on Iraq war

Bernard Jenkin, chair of the Public Administration Committee, says it is "very serious" that the Chilcot report is now four years overdue

16 May 2014 - Delays in publishing the official report into the Iraq War have been described as "very serious" by the head of a powerful Commons committee.

Sir John Chilcot's report is now four years overdue, said Bernard Jenkin, chairman of the House of Commons Public Administration Committee.

The Chilcot inquiry completed public hearings in 2011, but publication of its report has been held back by negotiations over the publication of private communications between Tony Blair, prime minister at the time of the 2003 conflict, and then US president George Bush.

Mr Jenkin has now written to the Cabinet Office demanding an explanation.

He said he is prepared to summon ministers and Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary, for questioning. read more>>>

* * * The British Iraq War Inquiry * * *