‘Gist’ of Blair-Bush talks will be published by Chilcot

We took a step closer to the publication of the the Chilcot Inquiry into the 2003 Iraq War, as it was confirmed that the “gist” of conversations between Tony Blair and George W. Bush could be included in the final copy. Up to now, what could be included from these conversations has been a roadblock to making the findings public.

In a letter to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Inquiry’s chairman Sir John Chilcot wrote:

“I am pleased to record that we have now reached agreement on the principles that will underpin disclosure of material from Cabinet-level discussions and communications between the UK Prime Minister and the President of the United States which the Inquiry has asked to use in its report.”

As LabourList has previously reported, the publication is not expected until some time next year – but whether that will be before or after the general election is still unknown.