Why The Blocked Long-Awaited Iraq War Report?

MPs to grill top civil servant on why he blocked long-awaited Iraq War report

Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood to be quizzed by select committee

Called to explain why Iraq War report held up by row over secret letters

Spotlight on sensitive correspondence between Tony Blair and George W. Bush

Sir Jeremy was key member of Mr Blair's inner circle in lead up to 2003 war

Interrogation to be carried out by Public Administration Select Committee

10 May 2014 - Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood will be forced to explain to MPs why the long-awaited report into the Iraq War has been held up by a row over secret letters between Tony Blair and George W. Bush.

Sir Jeremy, a key member of Mr Blair’s inner circle during the build-up to the 2003 conflict, will be interrogated by the powerful Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) about his role in blocking the release of the sensitive correspondence.

Sir John Chilcot, the chairman of the Iraq inquiry, wants to release the Blair letters, but has run into fierce opposition from Sir Jeremy, the country’s most senior civil servant.

He has argued privately that high-level exchanges should remain classified to protect the ‘machinery of government’.

Sir John says his report cannot be finished until the row is resolved. read more>>>

* * * The British Iraq War Inquiry * * *