LORD Hutton carried out a forensic examination of the Government's presentation of intelligence ahead of the war against Iraq.

His conclusion was that there was no political interference in the preparation of intelligence.

With no sign of weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq, it is safe to assume that the information gathered on Saddam Hussein's weaponry was flawed.

It is imperative that our intelligence services are held to account. Lessons need to be learned from any mistakes that may have been made.

Going to war is the biggest decision our Prime Minister can make. He and the British public need to be certain that the decision is made on the basis of accurate information.

Mr Blair's decision to order a review of intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction is therefore entirely justified.

The refusal by the Liberal Democrats to co-operate with the investigation is unjustified, and baffling.

The remit of the review appears consistent with what the party has been demanding since the war began.

It is ridiculous to expect any inquiry to question the interpretation of intelligence by politicians.

It is part and parcel of our system of government that the Prime Minister is charged with making judgements on our behalf. And his Government is then called to account for those judgements at the General Election.

To grant an inquiry the power to scrutinise political decisions will set a dangerous precedent, and transform our system of government into one of rule by all-party committee.

Even a party which advocates proportional representation has to recognise the unfeasibility of such a process.

The folly of the Liberal Democrats in this matter makes them vulnerable to accusations of mischief-making, and does nothing for their credibility as a worthwhile opposition, let alone a potential party of government.

We urge Mr Kennedy to think again or risk losing the respect he and his party have earned over their consistent and trenchant opposition to the war.