Former British prime minister Tony Blair faces further questioning about his costly decision to invade Iraq after he was recalled by the official inquiry into the war.
Mr Blair will answer further questions about Britain’s involvement in the conflict when he returns to give evidence early next year.
Other key Labour government figures involved in ruling on the legality of the war have also been asked to provide more information for the five-strong Iraq Inquiry panel.
Ex-foreign secretary Jack Straw will appear as a witness again and former attorney general Lord Goldsmith will provide extra written evidence.
Admiral Lord Boyce, chief of the defence staff from 2001 to 2003, and Lord Turnbull, cabinet secretary from 2002 to 2005, are also being recalled.
The inquiry will hear evidence for the first time from current cabinet secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell, former head of the RAF air chief marshal sir Glenn Torpy, Mr Blair’s adviser on European issues sir Stephen Wall, former cabinet secretary Lord Wilson of Dinton, and ex-foreign office Iraq director John Buck.
Written evidence has been requested from former defence procurement ministers Lord Drayson and Lord Bach and Mr Straw’s ex-special adviser Lord Williams of Baglan.
Inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot said: “As we draft our report it is clear that there are some areas where we need further detail.
“We will, therefore, be seeking further evidence on those matters. I am committed to taking the majority of this evidence in public.
“In some cases we will be writing to witnesses or government departments asking them to provide a written statement of events, responding to specific questions set out by the committee. In other cases we will be taking oral evidence.”
Mr Blair mounted a vigorous defence of the 2003 invasion of Iraq when he appeared before the inquiry on January 29, insisting he had no regrets over removing Saddam Hussein and would do the same again.
But critics of the war and families of the 179 British troops who died in the conflict condemned his appearance, saying he evaded the panel’s questions and refused to admit his mistakes.
As the former prime minister left the hearing room after giving evidence for six hours, one audience member heckled, “You are a liar,” and another added, “And a murderer”.
In an interview on US television 10 days later, Mr Blair attacked the hunt for a “conspiracy” and a “scandal” over his decision to commit British troops to Iraq.
And in his memoirs, A Journey, published in September, the former prime minister said he was angry at the way he was asked whether he had any regrets about going to war.
He wrote that the Chilcot Inquiry was supposed to be about learning lessons but had “inevitably turned into a trial of judgment and even good faith”.
No date has been fixed for Mr Blair’s second session before the inquiry, which has been set down for half a day.
Anti-war protesters have vowed to stage another noisy demonstration when he gives his testimony.
PA