Scottish Government
Printable version

FM highlights unacceptable delay of Iraq war report

Government propose parliamentary debate on Chilcot inquiry.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has yesterday written to Sir John Chilcot expressing her disappointment in the delay of the Chilcot inquiry.

The First Minister has made it clear that it is vital that the report is published as soon as possible so that there can be a full democratic debate on the process which led to the UK's involvement in Iraq prior to the General Election.

The Scottish Government will propose a debate on the Chilcot Inquiry in the Scottish Parliament next week.

In the letter the First Minister, said:

“I am deeply disappointed by your statement this morning that your long-awaited inquiry into the Iraq War, which began in June 2009, will not be published until after the UK general election.

“Whilst I understand that it is vital for there to be a thorough examination of all of the evidence that has been collated as part of this inquiry, the continued delay and the failure to provide both the general public and those who served with the answers and information they require on the United Kingdom's involvement in Iraq, is increasingly unacceptable.

“The Iraq War resulted in the deaths of 179 UK service personnel and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians. In 2014 the Royal United Services Institute estimated that the net additional cost of UK military operations in Iraq was around £9.6 billion.

“It is increasingly difficult for the public to escape the conclusion that the process is being dragged out to delay publication until after the general election. I would therefore urge you in the interests of transparency, accountability and democracy, to reconsider this matter and impose an early deadline that will ensure publication ahead of the general election.”

 

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

Share this article

Latest News from
Scottish Government