Even though publication of the Chilcot report in the weeks before a General Election would have hardly been ideal, it would have been better than it being delayed until after voters make their decision in May. Patrick Wintour’s story in today’s Guardian confirms that the report is being held up while those named in it respond to the allegations against them.
Politicians are furious, partly because they know the public will be unimpressed. Nick Clegg aptly summed it up in his letter to Sir John Chilcot last night, saying ‘there is a real danger the public will assume the report is being ‘sexed down’ by individuals rebutting criticisms put to them by the Inquiry, whether that is the case or not’.
The danger is not that voters are now cheated of the information they need to make their minds up in the election. Chilcot has little to do with this election, though Labour might still be relieved that the report isn’t going to dredge up the most painful bits of its past just before polling day.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in