Hoon in front of Iraq inquiry

Former British defence secretary Geoff Hoon was facing questions about the build-up to the invasion of Iraq as he appeared before the Chilcot inquiry today.

He was also expected to face scrutiny over claims that troops were inadequately equipped for the conflict.

Mr Hoon, defence secretary from 1999 to 2005, was the first ex-minister to appear before the inquiry, following a string of military leaders and officials.

One of the main areas was being questioned about is the limited extent to which the armed forces were able to prepare for the invasion.

The inquiry has already heard from senior military figures that preparations for the invasion were hampered by ministers’ fears that developments would leak.

Admiral Lord Boyce, who was the chief of the defence staff at the time, said he was allowed by ministers to start full-scale planning only four months before the invasion.

Ministers had been concerned that news of their planning would undermine efforts to get a new UN Security Council resolution requiring Saddam Hussein to give up his weapons of mass destruction.

The issue was considered so sensitive, Lord Boyce said, that he was even ordered by Mr Hoon not to discuss it with the chief of defence logistics.

As a result, the military chiefs were unable to take any practical steps to prepare for military action, such as buying in the extra equipment they would need for the operation.

There were also expectations that Mr Hoon, who jointly organised the recent plot to oust Gordon Brown, might use his appearance to increase pressure on the UK prime minister.

Leaked ministerial letters have apparently shown that Mr Brown vetoed the purchase of vital military helicopters for the campaigns in both Iraq and Afghanistan.