Iraq inquiry 'must recall Campbell to explain himself'

THE Iraq inquiry today faced demands to recall Alastair Campbell amid claims he gave misleading evidence about a key dossier on Saddam Hussein's weapons threat.

MPs insisted Tony Blair's former spin doctor be hauled back before Sir John Chilcot's panel after explosive new allegations from a military spy chief.

Major General Michael Laurie said political pressure was applied to "make a case for war" in the September 2002 dossier - flatly contradicting statements by Mr Campbell.

Labour MP Paul Flynn described the evidence from Maj-Gen Laurie, former director-general of intelligence collection at the Ministry of Defence, as "pretty devastating". He said: "Alastair Campbell must return to give evidence."

Senior Lib-Dem backbencher John Hemming echoed the call, saying: "It seems clear from Maj-Gen Laurie's evidence that what Alastair Campbell said to the inquiry was not true. This is an issue that needs further investigation because it cannot be allowed just to rest on the table."

But Mr Campbell is likely to escape a further grilling as the inquiry does not plan more public hearings. The former spin doctor has said he has "nothing to add" to his evidence.

Any damning criticisms of Tony Blair's government risk delaying Chilcot's final report, which is due before the end of the year.

Under a process known as "Maxwellisation", anybody criticised in an inquiry report must be told in advance and given a chance to fight back.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell told the Standard anyone singled out would have "a very strong motive" to try to persuade Sir John to modify rebukes. "That inevitably takes time and delays the publication of the report," he said.

It is thought likely that a failure to consider overstretch at a time when forces were already in Afghanistan will be highlighted as a particular area of concern in the report.