The Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war may yet blow up in the face of Gordon Brown, with collateral damage to his predecessor.
It has been revealed today that the inquiry will take evidence on live television from “all key decision-makers in the different phases of the Iraq affair”.
This may prove a significant embarrassment not only to Mr Brown himself, but also to Tony Blair, just at the time when he is likely to be making his ever-so-discreet pitch for the European presidency (if, of course, Lisbon is ratified by the Irish).
William Hague has today expressed wholly justifiable concerns that “wriggle room” may be afforded to Mr Blair by virtue of Sir John Chilcot’s indication that evidence sessions may be held in private, not just when national security is at issue, but also when there is a “need for candour”.
One must hope that Sir John takes the robust view that simply sparing Blair’s blushes does not fall into either of those categories.
