Brown to face Iraq inquiry before poll

In a brief statement at the start of yesterday's hearing, the inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot confirmed Mr Brown had taken up an offer to give evidence within the next two months.

It is expected he will appear in late February or early March.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander – who had also been scheduled for after the election – have also offered to give evidence before the country goes to the polls.

Sir John had originally ruled that the inquiry would not take evidence from ministers who still had responsibilities relating to Iraq before the election because he did not want it to be used as a "political platform".

In a letter to Mr Brown, Sir John said the inquiry panel "remain concerned about that mounting risk".

However, he said they had now accepted "as a matter of fairness" that the Prime Minister and his two colleagues should be given the chance to appear before the election if they chose.

The pressure on Mr Brown intensified this week after former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told the inquiry that the Treasury – under Mr Brown when he was Chancellor – starved the armed forces of funds in the build up to the war.

Following the invasion, Mr Hoon said the Treasury had then cut the MoD's equipment budget – forcing it to cancel orders for helicopters which could have been used in current operations in Afghanistan.

Downing Street strongly denied Mr Brown's decision to bring forward his appearance was related to Mr Hoon's evidence.