Passport row inquiry ‘concluded within weeks’

The inquiry into the Hinduja passport affair should be completed by the end of February, Downing Street said today.

Sir Anthony Hammond has told Cabinet Secretary Sir Richard Wilson that he hopes to complete his report within the next few weeks.

In a statement released through No 10, Sir Anthony said: ‘‘On the information currently available to me I would hope to conclude the inquiry by the end of February.’’

Prime Minister Tony Blair has promised that the report will be published.

Mr Blair’s official spokesman said today that Sir Anthony’s terms of reference were wide enough to allow him to look into any aspect of the affair, which has so far led to the resignation of Peter Mandelson as Northern Ireland Secretary and embroiled Europe minister Keith Vaz.