Blair And Campbell To 'Snub Iraq Weapons Inquiry'

Times Online

Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell (Photo) are set to snub an inquiry by MPs into claims before the war about Iraq’s chemical and biological weapons.

Suggestions that Downing Street exaggerated intelligence to justify the conflict are being probed by two Parliamentary committees.

Mr Campbell, the No 10 communications chief, has been asked to appear before the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

But it is up to the Prime Minister to answer for what happens in Number 10, his official spokesman said today.

Mr Blair also looked set to refuse to give evidence after the spokesman stressed that he would soon face the Liaison Committee, the group made up of select committee chairmen.

Mr Blair’s spokesman said today: “We have received a request from the Foreign Affairs committee for both the Prime Minister and Alastair Campbell to appear.

“We received that fairly late on Friday and it is being considered in the usual way.

“I should point out that the Prime Minister will be appearing before the Commons liaison committee for his next six-monthly appearance in the week commencing July 7.

“And there is a precedent that Number 10 officials don’t appear before select committees to discuss their work at Number 10.”

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printed from Blair And Campbell To 'Snub Iraq Weapons Inquiry' on 2004-05-06 07:39:47