Blair demanded: Hold Iraq inquiry in secret

Critics say Tony Blair's hopes of becoming the EU president risk being scuppered if the investigation is held in public

The row over the decision to hold the Iraq war inquiry behind closed doors escalated last night as it emerged that Tony Blair pressed Gordon Brown to keep it private.

In a move that will deepen the outrage of families of British soldiers killed in Iraq, the former prime minister, one of the architects of the controversial war, wanted the hearings to be held in secret to avoid a public and media circus.

A public appearance by Mr Blair before the Chilcot inquiry would also damage his ambitions of becoming EU president, a role that needs the support of European countries that opposed the war. More

Iraq war inquiry could reveal secrets, lies and the rush to war