Iraq inquiry consultation event at Tidworth (From Salisbury Journal)

Iraq inquiry consultation event at Tidworth

2:24pm Monday 16th August 2010 in

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BRITISH veterans of the Iraq war have been invited to Tidworth to share their views on how the conflict was run.

The Iraq inquiry is holding an event at Tidworth garrison on September 14 to hear from military personnel – serving, retired, regular and reserve – who were deployed in the country between 2003 and 2009.

In an open letter, inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot said the purpose of the event is to gain insights about how the campaign was conducted and the impact it had upon the lives of soldiers involved.

“My colleagues on the Iraq inquiry committee and I believe it is vital that we hear direct from those most affected by the Iraq campaign,” said Sir John.

“This event is an opportunity for you to ensure that your voice is heard and your views feed into the lessons that the inquiry identify.”

Sir John’s open letter has been circulated to military personnel via service organisations, ex-service organisations and regimental associations.

Some UK veterans have already spoken out at an event at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham earlier this year, and the panel also heard from families of some of the 179 service personnel and other British citizens killed in Iraq.

“The inquiry is primarily about learning lessons so these meetings are crucial to our work,” said Sir John. “We need to understand what went well and what could have been done better.

“I hope that the lessons the inquiry identifies will help us, as a nation, to continue to improve in many areas, including the way in which we approach expeditionary campaigns and nation building, and the impact on military personnel.”

Anyone wishing to attend must contact the inquiry before September 10 by emailing secretariat@iraqinquiry.org.uk. Written submissions will also be accepted.

The inquiry is expected to publish its final report by the end of the year.