Iraq war inquiry held in private

The government won the battle for holding the Iraq war inquiry in private, the BBC has learnt.

The opposition party had called for assurances on how much would be held in public, and lined up with Lib Dems urging changes within the inquiry panel - to include people with military and ministerial experience.

BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said the Lab's triumph was followed by Gordon's concession leading 299 votes compared to 260.

However, during the debate many Lab backbenchers criticised the government's proposal of handling the inquiry, and many of them said they were unclear about how much would be held in private.

Foreign secretary David Miliband said the conduct of inquiry needs to be independent and comprehensive, it is not a trial or impeachment but an effort to learn for the future. He also confirmed the inquiry would have access to all conbinet papers.

The key of the inquiry set out to exam weather Britian was "deceived" into going to war with Iraq.