Warning to publishers. Don’t commission a first-time author without giving him a deadline. The Chilcot Inquiry, a long-pondered probe into the origins of the Iraq war, is maturing gracefully and expensively like a lovely old port. Seven years and counting. Let’s hope it tastes good when it comes out.
At PMQs, David Cameron replied to questions about Chilcot with his ‘not-me-guv’ routine. Here are the things he isn’t responsible for. Ordering the Inquiry. Fixing the Inquiry timetable. Accelerating its publication. Receiving the Inquiry. Deciding what do with the Inquiry once it’s completed. Inquiring into delays surrounding the Inquiry.
When, or if, the report appears it will damage the reputations of various Labour mummies and dinosaurs. And Cameron tried his best to nudge Ed Miliband into the firing line while excusing himself altogether. He was like a bystander at an ugly car smash who tut-tuts sadly and hides his face behind his hand while peeking out to see how deliciously sickening the injuries are.
Three knights spoke in the debate.
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