Brown ponders public inquiry

LONDON - Gordon Brown is considering a startling about-turn over the official inquiry into the Iraq war which could result in witnesses giving evidence in public rather than behind closed doors.

The Prime Minister, who announced on Tuesday that the investigation by privy councillors would be held in private, faces a rebellion by Labour MPs, after senior military and intelligence officers condemned his decision - warning that it looked like a cover-up.

The backbenchers are threatening to inflict a humiliating Commons defeat on Brown next week.

In a further blow to the Prime Minister, two peers who chaired previous inquiries into aspects of the Iraq conflict, James Hutton and Robin Butler, support the bulk of the evidence being heard in public, the Independent has learnt.

Their views undermine the Government's claim that the best way to learn lessons would be for it to be held in private.

Brown is expected to discuss with inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot whether some sessions could be open to the public.

The Prime Minister's allies insist he is not wedded to all evidence being taken in private.

Brown had said he was worried that a mainly public event would be a "lawyers' paradise" that could drag on for years.

- INDEPENDENT