Chilcott Enquiry Whitewash

[gordiescotland1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30920121
I think it is very good timing for the Chilcott Enquiry !! Or am I being cynical. It seems to be taking a long time.

[bednobs]

1) how do you know it's a whitewash when it hasn't been published
2) How do you know the timing is very good, when no-one knows when it'll be published?

[-Talbot-]

It has just been said on the news that Chilcott doesn't want the report to be used as a political football pre election. Be patient...well even more patient

[sir.prize]

Reportedly Chilcott is probably not publishing the result of the inquiry just yet, 'cos he doesn't want it to be used as a political football leading up to the General Election.

OK - but what about those with a vested interest in the report - ie parents of service personnel who gave their lives? Oh I had forgotten, they are less important than the Election.

[ChillDoubt]

I have to say that Ed Miliband was decidedly subdued at PMQ's today and understandably so. If it was published now it could well jeopardise his party's chances in May, plus it gives Teflon Tone plenty of time to prepare his response or maybe even consider his current position and whether he wants to 'step away' for a little while.

[buildersmate]

It's been known for 5 years exactly when the election would be.
It was up to Chilcott not to pussyfoot about so long such that the timing became an issue - he could and should have published yonks ago.

Maybe Cameron should strike a deal with Ed - I'll take part in the TV debate if you agree to the release now of Chilcott. (joke).

[naomi24]

It occurred to me that publication now may affect the electorate's choices in May. Does anyone think it might?

[bednobs]

yes - although we are not officially in purdah for some while yet, election campaigns have started

[jno]

it's being held up while people respond to allegations against them.

[naomi24]

Exactly, bednobs.

[Hopkirk]

Is Chilcott paid by the day?

[magpie]

cameron does not want the report published just in case that he has to admit that his love affair with blair is on shaky ground!

[janbee]

Come on, do you REALLY expect the truth to come out?

[naomi24]

//cameron does not want the report published just in case that he has to admit that his love affair with blair is on shaky ground! //

Cameron's not holding it up. Read the link in the OP.

[Old_Geezer]

Anticipation, bednobs, anticipation ;-)

I doubt it'd make much if any difference to voting choices. Both major parties were voting it through. It may detract from the wonderful lies, err... I mean discussion on why each should be voted for, but one type of apolitical noise is much like another. Let them sling mud over Chilcott rather than ideology, manifestos, and personal insults.

[factor-fiction]

All the politicians are trying to appear very frustrated but I think it many are quite happy and are perhaps complicit in the delays. Blair seems to me to be trying too hard to show his frustration and Labour know it will not look good on the last Labour government. Similarly the Tories supported Blair in voting for the war. Labour must also accept that they were in power when the Chilcott enquiry was set up and questions should be asked about the terms of reference and timescales for reporting back that were set initially. I can only see the Lib Dems, UKIP, SNP and Greens benefiting from publication before the election

[naomi24]

^ I agree.

[youngmafbog]

Both parties voted it through but only one party (and probably one one or two individuals from that party) had the full picture. And that is what this enquiry is about really; Did Blair mislead the country into war?

It probably would affect labour more, personally I dont think that is fair and so it should be published after the election. In addition publishing it before and having it used as a political football could demean any serious issues within it.

[naomi24]

//It probably would affect labour more...//

I think that's true.

[bazwillrun]

If people think this will be a true , frank and honest report then they are living in cloud cuckoo land.

Every single word will have been vetted, certain people would have been told in no uncertain terms what they should or shouldnt say, career promotions will have been promised if the right things are said, agreements will have been reached in nice cosy offices etc etc.....just like a referendum, these things only go ahead when the required results are virtually guaranteed....

All this time to tell people what for the greater part they already know.

War was waged based on lies, Blair had agreed to back up Bush, so when the dog barked the tail wagged....

Nobody of any real importance is going to get punished over this, or if they do it will be relatively low level minions who will move sideways in the various halls of Whitehall....business as usual, this is how it all works and always will

[Noe-schitt]

If you have already made up your mind what the report should say it's a waste of time publishing it