Dispute over secret documents to delay Chilcot report on Iraq war

A statement on the inquiry’s website blamed the delay on getting hold of papers revealing decisions taken in the run-up to war in 2003.

The statement says: “The Inquiry has advised the Government that it will need until at least summer 2012 to produce a draft report which will do justice to the issues involved.

“Very considerable progress has already been made, but there is still much to be done.

“As well as drafting the report, the Inquiry will need to negotiate the declassification of a significant volume of currently classified material with the Government, to enable this to be quoted in, or published alongside, the Inquiry’s report.

“That process has begun, but there will be a series of further major requests as drafting progresses. The Inquiry has made clear that it will need co-operation from the Government in completing this in a satisfactory and timely manner.”

The inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, had hoped to publish its final report at the end of this year.

Sir John and his panel took evidence from witnesses about events prior to the American-led invasion of Iraq.

Supporters of the conflict claimed it would rid the country of its weapons of mass destruction (WMD), though no such weapons were found.

The war led to the overthrow of Iraq president Saddam Hussein, who was later hanged.

Then Prime Minister Tony Blair has heavily criticised for the basis on which he committed British troops to the war, in which 179 UK service personnel died.