Plaid respond to news that Iraq inquiry to be held behind closed doors

Plaid Cymru MPs have responded to today’s announcement that the long-awaited inquiry into the war with Iraq will now be held in private, and will report after the General Election.

Plaid’s Adam Price MP commented:

“I am absolutely astonished that the Prime minister has once again misjudged the public mood – so much for a new culture of transparency and rebuilding public trust.

“The Government that tried to keep MPs expenses underwraps is now doing the same over Iraq . People deserve to have full access to this information and the Government should be accountable to their electorate.

“What we need is a public and open inquiry which should be ready to report back promptly. We don't want another Saville“Bloody Sunday” inquiry that goes on for years. Delaying the results until after a General Election is simply farcical.

“Plaid MPs will now continue to urge the Government to ensure that the inquiry has access to all of the papers, every Cabinet note and text. Civil servants must have assurances that there will be no personal impact if they choose to give evidence too.

“The Government should also consider splitting the inquiry in two now - one to look into why we went to war, and another to investigate actions during the war.

“Finally, I would urge for there to be a debate and a vote in Parliament after the report is published.”