Poor timing

In times of war the very closest consultation between a prime minister and his or her chancellor is essential. It should be no surprise that former spin doctor Alastair Campbell should tell the Chilcot inquiry former premier Tony Blair should have had his chief finance minister, Gordon Brown, "in the loop" over the Iraq conflict (your report, 13 January).

What should be of more pressing concern is the timing of the current Prime Minister's evidence to the inquiry. Is it really in the country's interest, the inquiry's interest or Mr Brown's own political interest that his evidence should be left until after the general election?

Mr Brown is strong when it comes to international finance forums, for example, but he can be woefully weak in presentation on domestic matters.

In the course of the 2005 election campaign he conceded publicly that he would have done the same thing as Mr Blair over Iraq. It appears he has little to lose in explaining in detail straight away to Chilcot how the war was financed, and his own role in giving the then prime minister moral support.

The weakness of the Chilcot inquiry is that it appears to be simply going over old ground. It should not damage its credibility further by delaying evidence for the political convenience of important players in the tragedy.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court

Glenrothes, Fife