Iraq inquiry: questions for Geoff Hoon

Morning all. An Inquiry first today: after civil servants, ambassadors, generals and spin doctors we finally start taking evidence from politicians, and first up is Geoff Hoon.

He was secretary of state for defence 1999-2005 and thus faces a wide range of questions from the panel. Did concerns about keeping 2002 war preparations secret from the public hinder planning? Did UK troops enter the theatre of conflict with all the kit they required? Did renewed emphasis on Afghanistan prevent the coalition from successfully “finishing the job” in Iraq? Anything nice to say about DfID? (Joke.)

Hoon’s given evidence at an Iraq-related Inquiry before when he had to defend the MoD’s public naming of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, who later apparently took his own life. Hoon subsequently told a paper that the ministry could have done more to help him.

And then of course the attempted regime change; earlier this month he and Patricia Hewitt stunned Westminster by calling for a secret Labour leadership ballot – then stunned it again by promptly imploding.

Hoon said at the time that their intention had been to “clear the air” and end divisions. Whether his evidence today will serve the same purpose remains to be seen.