UK: Gordon Brown offers to give Iraq inquiry evidence before election

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions he told the Commons that he had written to Sir John Chilcot saying that he was happy to give evidence at any time.

Under current plans Mr Brown, who was Chancellor at the time of the war, had been scheduled to appear after the election.

But with others who were ministers at the time, including Jack Straw, Geoff Hoon and Tony Blair, making their appearances before the poll, there have been growing calls from the Opposition parties for Mr Brown to give evidence now.

He has insisted it is a matter for the inquiry, but told MPs today he was happy to give evidence on all the issues that have been raised.

His comments came the day after Mr Hoon accused him of not providing the military with the funds they needed before the 2003 invasion.


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