Date For Iraq War Report Could Be Revealed Soon

A date for the publication of the long-awaited report into Britain's decision to go to war in Iraq could soon be revealed.

Sir John Chilcot, the head of the inquiry, has confirmed he has received the last of the outstanding "Maxwell" responses to his findings and will write to David Cameron with a timetable for publication "as soon as I am able".

The report into the 2003 conflict has been delayed by the "Maxwellisation" process, which has allowed those who may face criticism, believed to include former prime minister Tony Blair, the opportunity to respond before publication.

Sir John has faced questions over the delay in producing his report, which the then prime minister Gordon Brown said he expected to take "at least a year" when he commissioned it in 2009.

Since then, more than 130 sessions of witness evidence and 150,000 documents have been received by the inquiry, which finished its hearings in 2011.

Sir John has been threatened with legal action from families of those who died in the conflict over his failure to say when the report will be published.

The Prime Minister said recently he shared the families' "immense frustration" and urged Sir John to "get on with it".

Downing Street has stressed the timing of publication is a matter for the independent inquiry.

Sir John said last month he understands the "anguish" faced by the families of loved ones who died.

In a letter to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, Sir John said further work will be required to evaluate the "detailed and substantial" submissions and work out how much more time will be needed to finish the report.

"As soon as I am able to, I will write to the Prime Minister with a timetable for the publication of the Inquiry's report," he wrote.

It has been reported that Sir John will apportion blame for Britain's role in the Iraq war more widely than had been expected.

Criticism will extend well beyond Mr Blair and his inner circle, sources involved with the six-year inquiry told The Guardian.

The main focus for the inquiry is on the events leading up to the 2003 invasion, in particular questions about the legality of military action, faulty intelligence and whether Mr Blair gave an early undertaking to the then US president, George W Bush, to support the US-led invasion.