Blair aide to appear before Iraq inquiry

Reuters

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL: Tony Blair's former media advisor will speak at an inquiry into Britain's role in the Iraq war.

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Tony Blair's former chief media adviser Alastair Campbell will appear before an inquiry into the Iraq war next week.

He will be the highest profile witness to appear so far before the inquiry, which opened in November.

Campbell was Blair's director of communications and one of his closest aides when the former prime minister led Britain into the war with Iraq in 2003.

The inquiry has already heard that Britain had received intelligence in the days before the US-led invasion that Iraq had dismantled its chemical weapons.

An official dossier in September 2002 to justify war, said Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein could launch weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes. No such weapons were found.

Blair also is due to give evidence to the inquiry early this year.

John Chilcot, who is leading the inquiry, has said that Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other members of his government will not appear to give evidence until after the general election, which must be held by June.

Campbell will appear on January 12.

- Reuters