What do they have to hide? Fury as Straw blocks release of minutes of key Cabinet meeting held before Iraq war

Jew Jack Straw faced a storm of protest last night after vetoing the release of Cabinet papers on the decision to invade Iraq.

He used a clause in freedom of information law to prevent publication of minutes of two key Cabinet meetings in 2003.

The unprecedented move by the Justice Secretary prompted angry scenes in the Commons and accusations of a cover-up.

The release of the documents was ordered by the Information Tribunal. But ministers argued that it threatened the confidentiality essential for the proper functioning of government.

Critics suspect the Government also wants to avoid potential embarrassment for Gordon Brown over the role he played as ministers agreed to go to war.

The Cabinet meetings considered the hugely controversial issue of whether the invasion was legal under international law.

The late Robin Cook, who was Leader of the Commons, wrote in his diary that several ministers raised serious concerns.

He said Mr Brown delivered a 'long and passionate' statement of support for Premier Tony Blair's strategy - even though he had previously been sceptical about the war.

Mr Straw's own role, as Mr Blair's Foreign Secretary, also led MPs to question whether he should have stepped aside from the decision about a veto. More

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