Iraq war inquiry 'must all be held in public'

Calls for an inquiry into the war in Iraq to be held in public have been backed by the Federation of Muslim Organisations.

Federation spokesman Suleman Nagdi insisted only a fully open inquiry would suffice.

He said: "The invasion of Iraq has been one of the defining moments in our history.

"The Government's U-turn that the inquiry will be private but some sessions could be held in public simply does not go far enough."

Mr Brown announced last week that an inquiry into the invasion – which claimed the lives of 179 British Service personnel and an unknown number of Iraqi civilians – would take place behind closed doors.

Since the initial announcement, however, Mr Brown has been forced to give ground and accept that evidence sessions will be held in public.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that – contrary to the Prime Minister's initial statement – the inquiry, led by Sir John Chilcot, will be able to apportion blame.

Mr Nagdi said: "We have to remember that the invasion was based on a false pretence.

"The 'dodgy dossier' and the claims of weapons of mass destruction have contributed so much to undermining the public's trust in our democracy.

"The Government must hold the entire inquiry in public so we can hold all those involved to account.

"This, we believe, will go some way to restoring our trust in our democracy."