Lawmakers attack decision to hold Iraq inquiry in private

London: The Iraq War inquiry was in crisis on Tuesday as opposition Members of Parliament and Labour rebels threatened to join forces in an attempt to throw it open to the public.

The move came amid mounting criticism of Gordon Brown's decision to hold the long-awaited investigation behind closed doors. Under No 10's remit, it will not be allowed to apportion blame and will not have legal powers to compel witnesses to attend or subpoena documents.

Tories and the Liberal Democrats were infuriated by Foreign Secretary David Miliband's suggestion on Tuesday that they had privately agreed to the shape of the probe, which will not report until after the next general election.

There was further anger over Miliband's confident insistence that the inquiry would uncover no "great conspiracies" over the 2003 conflict.

Opposition MPs are now due to force a Commons vote next week on the membership of the inquiry, its timing and the decision to hold sessions in private.

Sources claimed Labour rebels were considering joining the protest in a vote that will be symbolic, but could fatally undermine confidence in the inquiry.

The inquiry will be led by Sir John Chilcot, 70, who was part of the Butler Inquiry into the use of intelligence before the 2003 invasion.