Brown favors secrecy for Iraq war inquiry

LONDON, June 15 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday his country's Iraq war inquiry would be conducted in secret to allow for a full investigation.

The Times of London said Brown defended his secrecy position on the inquiry by saying private interviews and information-gathering would allow for more candid accounts while ensuring Britain's national security.

"No British documents and no British witness will be beyond the scope of the inquiry," the prime minister said regarding the long-awaited inquiry.

Brown's decision regarding the inquiry was met with opposition by politicians like Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and Conservative Party head David Cameron.

"To rebuild public trust, this inquiry must be held in public," Clegg said.

Cameron said a secret inquiry could result in the public suspecting the government effort was "fixed to make sure the government avoids having to face up to any inconvenient conclusions."

The Times said the last British military mission in Iraq took place April 30 and all British forces are expected to have left the Middle Eastern country by the end of July.