Chilcot inquiry does not ‘ambush witnesses’ on Iraq

You don’t need to look long at Sir John Chilcot’s end of session statement today to think that there are some hurt feelings around.

The inquiry sounds stung by some of the criticism that has been flung at it and has responded.

An earlier draft of the statement said the inquiry was not going for “cheap shots”… the published version was toned down to say they were not into ambushing witnesses or scoring points.

On the substance, the inquiry has plans to publish classified documents when the next phase of questioning kicks off, including former ministers.

The inquiry has been slammed by some newspapers for weak questioning, “establishment puddings”, “an insult to the dead”.

Sir John’s message was that this is not “public sport” and you shouldn’t underestimate this inquiry. As Sir John finished his words, the microphones picked up Baroness Prashar congratulating him: “Very well delivered.”

“I meant every word of it,” Sir John Chilcot replies. I bet he did.

By the way, the inquiry team treated the stenographer to a packet of After Eight mints in thanks for her hard work tapping out live transcripts for the first 23 sessions.

Related: Iraq inquiry: Manning’s insider account of Crawford summit

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