Wanted - For War Crimes

Tony Blair pushed Gordon Brown to hold Iraq war inquiry in private

• Former PM feared facing 'show trial'
• Leak reveals plan to provoke invasion

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* Toby Helm and Gaby Hinsliff
* guardian.co.uk, Saturday 20 June 2009 21.00 BST
* Article history

Prime Minister Tony Blair

Tony Blair announces on 20 March 2003 that British servicemen and women are engaged from air, land and sea in the war against Iraq. Photograph: PA

Tony Blair urged Gordon Brown to hold the independent inquiry into the Iraq war in secret because he feared that he would be subjected to a "show trial" if it were opened to the public, the Observer can reveal.

The revelation that the former prime minister, who led the country to war in March 2003, had intervened will fuel the anger of MPs, peers, military leaders and former civil servants, who were appalled by Brown's decision last week to order the investigation to be conducted behind closed doors.