Date set for Butler Inquiry publication

Wednesday, 30 June 2004 12:00 AM

The Butler Inquiry into the Government's handling of intelligence in the run up to war in Iraq will be published on 14th July.

This will mean a dramatic week in politics, with the Chancellor announcing yesterday that he will publish his Comprehensive Spending Review on 12th July, and two by-elections due on 15th July.

It is not clear whether the 14th July date was set in consultation with the Government, or independently decided by Lord Butler.

Tony Blair set up the Butler Inquiry in February after coming under heavy pressure over the failure to find weapons of mass destructions (WMD) in Iraq.

This is the fourth inquiry into the intelligence used in the lead up to war, following investigations by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, the Intelligence and Security Committee and Lord Hutton- though Lord Hutton's remit was narrowly focused on the death of Government scientist David Kelly.

Lord Butler's enquiry was originally meant to be cross party but the Liberal Democrats refused to take part from the start arguing that the remit of the inquiry was unacceptable.

The inquiry is to focus on the availability and accuracy of the intelligence available on WMD in the run up to the war, and to make recommendations to the Prime Minister on the future use and gathering of such information.

Charles Kennedy had demanded that the inquiry should also be able to look at the justification for military action and the judgements made.

Despite initial agreeing to take part in the inquiry, the Conservatives decided to withdraw in March claiming the focus of the inquiry was too restrictive. The Labour Party immediately accused Conservative leader Michael Howard of political opportunism.

Lord Butler is reported to be anxious to avoid accusations of a "whitewash" but there have been no indications of the content of the report as yet.

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