Families react to delayed Chilcot report publication

The Chilcot Inquiry heard evidence from those who were part of the decision to go to war Credit: ITV News Tyne Tees

Families of soldiers from the North East who died fighting in Iraq have reacted angrily to news they will have to wait until next year for the details of why their loved ones were taken to war.

Sir John Chilcot, who has been leading the inquiry into why the UK joined the US in invading Iraq in 2003, has finally published a timetable for the publication of the report. The inquiry began six years ago, in 2009, six years after the war began. During that time, the inquiry has heard evidence from those who were part of the decision to go to war.

According to Chilcot's timetable, the 2 million-word report will be completed by April 2016. It will then be checked to ensure it does not breach national security before being published in June or July next year.Publication has been delayed numerous times to give those criticised in the report a chance to reply.

The families of soldiers from the North East who died fighting in the Iraq war say they are frustrated by the delay.

  • Janice Procter, mother of Private Michael Tench, from Washington, told ITV News Tyne Tees the delay in publication is "diabolical".

Janice Procter's son Pt Michael Tench was the last soldier to be killed in Iraq Credit: ITV News Tyne Tees

Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is "immensely frustrated" at the delays. He has offered extra resources to try and speed up the process.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also said it is "beyond ridiculous" how long this report is taking.

The announcement of a publication date may be some consolation but those who lost family members in Iraq have already spent years waiting to find out exactly why Britain went to war with Iraq in 2003.