Gavin’s Gaily Gigest

The Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, has decreed that the minutes of two Cabinet meetings held in the days leading up to the 2003 Iraq invasion should be disclosed to help “transparency and public understanding of the relevant issues”.

Nothing wrong with that of itself, of course - in any democracy there should be a presumption of public disclosure unless there is an overwhelming public interest not to. But underlying the disclosure request is a discontent with the government’s conduct in early 2003. We are all familiar with the charge sheet: the varying justificatory reasons advanced; the sleight of hand by Tony Blair that left half the Cabinet uninformed*; and the massive public movement against the war, culminating in the 15th February London march**. They all form part of the allegations against the previous government which taints the present one, being largely composed of the same ministers.

Whilst these claims continue, the government’s integrity is questioned, hindering its ability to manoeuvre, especially in the field of foreign relations. We have seen with Iran that effective multilateral sanctions against the country’s alleged nuclear programme have been slow coming because doubts remain over the reliability of UK and US intelligence. Other countries are not satisfied that we have learnt the lessons of 2003. The fog of war hangs over Parliament, Government, MI5 and MI6, and they need a cathartic wind to blow over them.

Small disclosures, admissions and investigations - like these minutes, like the Attorney-General’s advice to the Prime Minister, like the two limited judicial inquiries (Butler and Hutton) - have not been enough to take away the stench. What we need is a full public inquiry into all aspects of the Iraq War - the military planning, the political decisions taken and the basis on which those decisions were made, the reliance placed on intelligence reports - to absolve Gordon Brown’s government of its original sin. And maybe then the whole country can move on.

* An approach which apparently characterised his period in office.

** James Graham today posted a fascinating retrospective account of his involvement which I thoroughly recommend.