UK government criticized by anti-war protesters

Anti-war protesters have criticized a decision by the United Kingdom (UK) government to hold an investigation into Britain\'s involvement in the Iraq war behind closed doors, according to a report by Peter Wilkinson on CNN.com.



British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the House of Commons on Monday the inquiry into the war would hear evidence in private so witnesses can be \"as candid as possible.\"



Brown said the inquiry would be \"fully independent of government,\" and the final report will be disclosed\" all but the most secret of information.



But campaigners for Stop the War coalition dismissed the announcement that the inquiry would be held behind closed doors. \"The decision to hold it in secret is incomprehensible. It gives the impression that this government has something to hide. In interests of transparency the inquiry should be held in public. The government says the results will be made public but not until after the election when it will probably have been voted so it will never have to account for its actions. It\'s another politicians \'fix\',\" spokeswoman Lindsey German told CNN.



Opponents of Britain\'s hugely controversial decision to join United States (U.S.) invasion of Iraq in 2003 have long demanded a public inquiry for years, but the government has always said any probe will only be held when the UK\'s combat role in Iraq has ended.



Brown said a total of more than 120,000 personnel served in Iraq and paid tribute to the 179 who died in service.