THE continuing delay over the publication of the Chilcot report into the Iraq war is a scandal.
We expected to learn the facts surrounding Britain’s decision to join American forces in an unjustified invasion six long years ago.
The delay must be intolerable for those bereaved families who feel unable to move on while Chilcot’s findings remain under cover.
Political frustration has been also been boiling up, with David Cameron finally signalling that he is considering imposing a deadline for publication.
Such a move cuts little ice with families who are now considering legal action to force publication before the end of the year.
Contrast the families’ suffering with Sir John Chilcot’s seemingly endless discussions with those criticised in the report – whose identities we still do not know – in the process known as Maxwellisation. It seems cruel to give them more consideration than those who lost loved ones in a conflict which now looks to have had little or no basis in law.
After a wait of six years and a cost of £10m it is time for the Westminster government to say loudly and clearly that enough is enough and set a deadline for publication. If this necessitates a review of Maxwellisation so much the better.
We owe it to the families to show that their need for the truth is immeasurably more important that the desire of establishment figures to protect their reputations.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here