Chilcott ‘scandal’

The failure to date to publish the report from the Chilcott Inquiry into the Iraq war, despite it being available within months of the final hearing in February 2011, is nothing short of a national  scandal.

Evidence of a clear cover-up, to kick the report into the long grass until well after the general election, is that letters were  allegedly only sent out to those being criticised in the report last month, giving them the right to respond.

This despite the fact that a draft report was, according to Sir John Chilcott, due in summer 2012.

It is hardly a surprise that while all political party leaders in Scotland have called for its publication prior to the general election, leading Blairite Jim Murphy has not made a similar call, given that the report is anticipated to be highly critical of former prime minister Tony Blair.

It is only right that those responsible for the illegal actions in Iraq are held accountable and we the public, after an inquiry lasting more than five and a half years, are given the opportunity to view a report on the UK’s worst policy disaster of modern times, the outcomes of which have had such a profound impact on our nation today.

Alex Orr

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh