The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) today restated its call for a public inquiry into the Iraq War, urging the Government to reconsider its intention to hold the Inquiry behind closed doors, without full disclosure.

`I urge the Prime Minister to rethink the nature and remit of the Inquiry. The Iraq War has been significant in our nation's history, and we are still living with the repercussions of the conflict to this day. We owe it to the rich heritage of our country to facilitate an honest learning exercise with total public confidence', said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, the Secretary General of the MCB.

`The Prime Minister has rightly spoken of reform where Parliament should have the proper mechanisms of scrutiny when the country goes to war. In addition he has recently responded positively to the need for greater transparency in our political culture. An open, public inquiry will be in keeping with those noble intentions", added Dr. Bari.

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The Muslim Council of Britain is an umbrella group of over 500 Muslim organisations - mosques, charities, community groups.