Brown should face Iraq inquiry music - Davey

4.00.00pm GMT Thu 24th Dec 2009

Commenting on today's statement from Sir John Chilcott which reveals that Gordon Brown, David Miliband and Douglas Alexander will not appear before the Iraq inquiry until after the election, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey said:

"Giving special treatment to Labour ministers not only undermines the perception of independence of the inquiry but will damage the public's trust in politics further still.

"This looks like a deal cooked up in Whitehall corridors to save Gordon Brown and his ministers from facing the music.

"Gordon Brown signed the cheques for the Iraq war, and he should explain that decision before polling day.

"British soldiers will not be impressed by a Prime Minister unwilling to step into the firing line."