Iraq inquiry meets behind closed doors

The Iraq Inquiry met behind closed doors today to hear evidence from the general who ran the British operations in the conflict, it has been revealed.

General John Reith, who worked as chief of joint operations from Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood during the war, convinced the panel led by John Chilcot that he should be allowed to appear without the press and public present "for personal reasons".

A full transcript of his evidence was published tonight, with five words blanked out "on the grounds of national security", the inquiry said in a statement.

Although Chilcot has pledged to hear as much evidence in public as possible, "the Committee decided that on the personal grounds set out by General Reith, there was a genuine reason why he would have difficulty appearing in public if it were to be broadcast", the statement went on.

It said the redaction of the five words was "unrelated to the reason why the hearing was held in private" but gave no further details.