The man in charge of the inquiry examining events surrounding the Iraq war has said his committee will not produce a report that is a “whitewash”.
Sir John Chilcot, a retired career civil servant, has promised to produce a “full and insightful” account.
Evidence from senior government figures will start on Tuesday and politicians, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be called early in 2010.
The report will not be released until after the General Election.
Whitewash? Who would say such a wicked thing? Yet another expensive report from a bunch of government appointees chaired by Sir Humphrey Appleby.
PM’s prediction: listened to everyone…reams of evidence…years and years…delayed report while being “approved”…searing criticism…acknowledgement of shortcomings…BUT…knowledge of the time…intelligence shortcomings…judgments in hindsight…no one to blame…just one of those things…know better next time…list of recommendations….sunk without trace…blah..blah..blah….here is our bill, a snip at £2billion…
Cynical? Moi? Just seen it all before; unless you have an independently [of government] appointed and chaired commission, you will just get another whitewash; and even if it isn’t, no one will believe it.