Chilcot inquiry's credibility 'is on edge of an abyss' (Iraq war inquiry)

Source: The Guardian

The credibility of the Chilcot inquiry into the invasion of Iraq is "on the edge of an abyss" because of its lack of transparency, a leading international lawyer warned today.

Philippe Sands QC, professor of international law at University College London, said the inquiry had been undermined by its inability to refer publicly to documents it had seen.

He said it had shown an inability to tackle the central question of the illegality – or otherwise – of the US-led military action head on.

Sands said he had seen some unpublished documents which contradicted or undermined the testimony by witnesses to the inquiry. The inquiry had also had a series of "private chats" with a number of "notable individuals", he said.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/14/chilcot-inquiry-iraq-credibility