The families of two soldiers killed in Iraq have failed in court to force the government to hold an independent inquiry into the conduct over the war in this BBC report.
The families of soldiers David Clarke and Gordon Gentle have argued that the government had failed to ensure in advance that the 2003 invasion was lawful and justified. They were challenging a 2006 Court of Appeal ruling that ministers were not obliged to hold such an inquiry. Unfortunately for them, the case was rejected.
Despite losing this case, the families have won the moral argument against a government which has repeatedly tried to draw a line under this sorry situation. Demands for an independent inquiry into the war are growing daily. Even those reporters and commentators who supported the war in the beginning are also now demanding an inquiry. Hiding behind legal arguments is not the way for a democratic government to behave.