Summary of the Iraq War files

Published: Sunday Telegraph 22 Nov 2009

On the eve of the Chilcot inquiry into Britain’s involvement in the 2003 invasion and its aftermath, The Sunday Telegraph has obtained hundreds of pages of secret Government reports on “lessons learnt” which shed new light on “significant shortcomings” at all levels.

They include full transcripts of extraordinarily frank classified interviews in which British Army commanders vent their frustration and anger with ministers and Whitehall officials.

DAY ONE

Iraq report: Secret papers reveal blunders and concealment
The “appalling” errors that contributed to Britain’s failure in Iraq are disclosed in the most detailed and damning set of leaks to emerge on the conflict.

The reports disclose that:

Tony Blair, the former prime minister, misled MPs and the public throughout 2002 over the timing of Britain's military planning.

The Foreign Office unit to plan for postwar Iraq was set up only in late February, 2003, three weeks before the war started.

The plans “contained no detail once Baghdad had fallen”, causing a “notable loss of momentum” which was exploited by insurgents.

Iraq report: Secret plans for war, no plans for peace

In the bitter aftermath of the Iraq invasion, Tony Blair was many times accused of sending British troops to war on a deceit. Troops 'rushed' into battle without armour or training

“Never again,” says the main “lessons learnt” report, “must we send ill-equipped soldiers into battle.” Britain 'unprepared' for nation building

“As soon as Saddam Hussein’s regime falls,” promised the Prime Minister, “the work to build a new, free and united Iraq will begin. A peaceful, prosperous Iraq which will be run by and for the Iraqi people.”

DAY TWO

Hostility between British and American military leaders revealed

Government documents leaked to The Telegraph reveal the deep hostility of Britain's military commanders towards US allies.

Iraq war caused rupture between British and American military

Iraq was supposed to cement Britain as America’s closest ally. But if the papers leaked to the Daily Telegraph are any guide, it caused not an improvement, but a significant rupture between the two countries’ military top brass

The Chilcot Inquiry: leaks at the heart of key issues

At 10 o’clock this Tuesday in the bland surroundings of Westminster’s Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, a retired Whitehall mandarin called Sir John Chilcot will begin the first hearings of the long-awaited public inquiry into the Iraq war.

Posted by: Michelle Nielsen