Blair's evidence on Iraq should be published - Moore

7.36.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 28th Nov 2006

Michael Moore MP demands a transcript of the PM evidence to the Iraq Study Group

Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Michael Moore MP, has written to Margaret Beckett demanding she publish a transcript of the Prime Minister's evidence to the Iraq Study Group.

In response to a parliamentary question tabled by Michael Moore, Margaret Beckett refused to publish the transcript, instead referring enquiries to the press statement issued by the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman.

Commenting, Mr Moore said "It is incredible that the British public are being denied the right to hear the Prime Minister's views on something as serious as the future strategy in Iraq at the same time as he is answering questions from an American inquiry.

"Events in Iraq make it clear that a new strategy is needed. Britain urgently needs its own review, based on British assessments and priorities.

"At the very least, given the Government's stubborn refusal to hold a British inquiry, we should know what Tony Blair told the American inquiry. A full transcript of the Prime Minister's evidence should now be published."