Ministers blamed for Scott hold-up

The Scott arms-to-Iraq inquiry's final report has been delayed at least until September, almost three years after it began its investigations, it emerged yesterday. It was also revealed that Matrix Churchill was just one of a dozen cases that the inquiry is examining.

Prosecution of three executives of the machine tool manufacturer collapsed in November 1992 after it became apparent that vital evidence proving their innocence had been withheld by government use of Public Interest Immunity certificates.

Christopher Muttukumaru, the Scott inquiry secretary, said 12 cases where prosecutions were brought or considered for the export of arms to Iraq in 1984 to 1990 were being examined. They include five instances where trials started and seven where individuals steeled themselves for criminal charges that did not materialise. In all 12, the inquiry is investigating whether the authorities acted fairly.

The existence of the 12 was given by Mr Muttukumaru to explain the continuing non- appearance of the report, expected to criticise up to five current Cabinet ministers.

Another reason for the delay, given privately by inquiry officials, was the growing use of lawyers by those likely to be criticised. Ministers and officials are understood to have retained prestigious firms to guide them through the process of commenting on draft inquiry evidence and responding to the final report.

Inquiry members had noticed lawyers had been changed as the investigation neared its climax. This had caused delay as new ones had to bring themselves up to date and become fully acquainted with a client's role. In most cases, legal costs were being met from the public purse.

Mr Muttukumaru was speaking against a backdrop of mounting political concern over the delays. Robin Cook, shadow Foreign Secretary, yesterday accused Whitehall of deliberately slowing progress. He also charged the Prime Minister with not backing inquiry procedures.

Releasing correspondence with John Major, Mr Cook said it showed the Prime Minister failed to express his confidence in Sir Richard Scott. "The truth is that it is not the procedures of the Scott Inquiry of which the Government is afraid, but its findings," Mr Cook challenged.

This was refuted by ministers who said they would have preferred the report to have been completed by now. If finished in September, it is likely to be released immediately, in the summer recess. A few weeks later and it could appear during the politically sensitive party conference season.

Mr Muttukumaru refused directly to accuse Whitehall and the Government of deliberately stalling progress. However, he said "three key witnesses" had not met last month's deadline for comments on their evidence. Even now, said Mr Muttukumaru, government papers were still coming to light. He believed it "was in the nature of the Whitehall machine" that things got put in cupboards and forgotten, rather than an ongoing attempt to avoid material reaching the judge and his team.

The inquiry indicated it may be prepared to speed matters up. While Sir Richard is determined to be seen to be fair, there may come a time, said Mr Muttukumaru, when a bar will be placed on new evidence.

Ministers face censure, page 3