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Friday, 30 October 2015

Chilcot Report at least has a publication date but the pace of the independent panel inquiry has been too long

Sir John Chilcot has announced that his two million word report into the Iraq War will be finished in April 2016 and then given national security checks, with a publication in June / July. This is a matter beyond governments control as the inquiry is utterly independent.

But the PM Mr Cameron has sent a letter expressing his frustration at the delay.
In his letter to Sir John, Mr Cameron welcomed the fact there was "a clear end in sight" but added: "I am disappointed - and I know the families of those who served in Iraq will also be disappointed - that you do not believe it will be possible logistically to publish your report until early summer." has offered resources to speed up the process, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the time taken was "getting beyond ridiculous".
The inquiry is considering how UK forces came to participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and its aftermath.
The PMs letter is here: http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/media/54373/2012-07-16_Prime_Minister_Chilcot.pdf

Full story of how we got here and what is happening: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34665607