The Iraq Inquiry Blogger reveals details of the ballot for those who want to be in the chamber when Tony Blair gives evidence to Sir John Chilcot.
News just in: the Inquiry team has revealed details of the lottery (to be fair they use the somewhat drier term ballot) for armed forces relatives and members of the public to apply to attend Tony Blair’s evidence session.
We’re still not being told exactly when that will be, but there is now an official two-week window starting from 25 January so that successful applicants can begin to make travel plans. We’re also told his session will last for one full day of two three-hour sessions. Tickets will be issued for people to attend either the morning or the afternoon hearing in order to get as many of them in at some point as possible.
Around a third of the available seats will specifically be held back for the families of armed forces personnel and British citizens killed or missing in Iraq. Besides the (fairly small) Inquiry chamber itself there’ll also be a ‘reserve’ room available with videolinks for those who just fail to make the main ballot.
Perhaps mindful of the strength of feeling Mr Blair’s role in the Iraq War can provoke in some quarters the Inquiry warns that: “All those entering the hearing room or additional viewing facility will be expected to comply with the standards of behaviour and rules of access which will be set out in the notification successful applicants receive. Anyone who does not comply with any of these requirements may be refused entry to the Inquiry suite or asked to leave the hearing room or additonal viewing facility at any point in the proceedings”
An intriguing addendum: “By completing this form you consent for your personal data to be used by the Inquiry in any manner which ensures the effective conduct of the Inquiry’s business. This may include publication of the list of successful applicants.”
The closing date for applications is 15 January and you can view and print out the relevant application forms via the news section of the inquiry website. However completed forms have to be returned by snailmail and posted to: Public Ballot, Iraq Inquiry, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.
Some pop concert rules and regulations: tickets can’t be bought or sold and are non-transferable; they can’t be obtained as a gift for someone else (not sure who you’d give this sort of present to) and you’re only allowed one application per person. That said, let’s see how long until the ticket pops up on eBay regardless…
PS I’m not sure what notice if any the Inquiry is likely to take of it but this website‘s rather interesting, soliciting ‘tough’ questions that Blair can be asked on the day.