British prime minister Gordon Brown confirmed today he would appear at the Iraq war inquiry before this year's election, a move which could potentially damage Labour at the ballot box.
Some Labour figures are concerned the inquiry is bringing a divisive issue back into the public arena and risks losing the party votes.
The inquiry, led by former civil servant John Chilcot, had said it would not call Mr Brown ahead of the election, due by June, to avoid its hearings becoming caught up in party politics.
But Mr Brown wrote to Mr Chilcot earlier this week saying he was prepared to give evidence at any time.
Opposition parties had challenged Mr Brown to appear after earlier hearings raised questions about his role while finance minister ahead of the 2003 US-led invasion.
The prime minister faces questions on decisions on defence spending which critics say have hampered British operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He set up the inquiry last year to learn lessons from the conflict following the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq.
"In my letter I offered to give my evidence at any time. You have proposed a range of dates in the next two months. I will be happy to agree a date that is to the convenience of the Inquiry," Brown wrote in a letter to Mr Chilcot.
The inquiry is rising up the political agenda, and interest will peak next week when former prime minister Tony Blair appears on Friday, January 29th. Many Labour supporters remain angry with Mr Blair for leading the country into a war and occupation in which 179 British soldiers were killed.
Yesterday, former foreign minister Jack Straw told the inquiry he deeply regretted the loss of life in Iraq but defended his decision to back the invasion.
Reuters