The Chilcot inquiry is too early to really savage Tony Blair

Apparently Sir John Chilcot is likely to be ‘critical’ of Tony Blair in his long-awaited report into the Iraq war. We know this, or think we know it, because the Mail on Sunday has told us as much, in some detail. How does the Mail on Sunday know? It is odd of the committee to leak its findings, but I suppose that must be what has happened. Perhaps they are gripped by committee-envy, annoyed that other investigative committees have recently stolen their thunder and prominence, and wish to set up some advance publicity for the publication of the report.

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Matthew Lynn

Spain will regret its 100 per cent expat property tax

For students of establishment inquiries, the Chilcot inquiry is an interesting beast. Official inquiries set up shortly after some appalling catastrophe has taken place — a few months later, say, or a year or so — tend to exonerate all concerned, not least because all concerned are usually still in positions of great power.