CIVIL SERVANT WHO RESIGNED OVER IRAQ SHOULD BE INVITED TO INQUIRY

CIVIL SERVANT WHO RESIGNED OVER IRAQ SHOULD BE INVITED TO INQUIRY

Appearing on Channel 4 News tonight (Tuesday) Carne Ross – the Foreign Office civil servant who resigned over the decision to go to war in Iraq – confirmed that he has not yet received an invitation to appear before the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq war.

Responding to that confirmation Angus Robertson MP, said that it was important that someone with the experience and knowledge of Carne Ross should appear because he would bring an independent perspective to the circumstances that led to the decision.

Commenting, Mr Robertson said:

“It is clear that Mr Ross has no knowledge of whether he has been invited or not. I therefore hope that the inquiry can confirm that he will appear.

“As someone who resigned on a point of principle over the circumstances that took us to war in Iraq his perspective could provide crucial evidence.

“Free from the constraints of being a current civil servant he can provide independent evidence free from any pressures. I hope that the inquiry will quickly move to ensure that we know that someone of the stature of Mr Ross is going to appear.

“People deserve the whole truth about a war fought in their name and the inquiry must be thorough, searching and transparent. The Chilcot enquiry must dig deep and uncover those who hold responsibility.”