HERE we are again. Another toothless inquiry before which people can appear and lie with impunity. Clearly from the conflicting evidence given to date to the Chilcot Inquiry into the war in Iraq someone is lying.

Men and women have died as a direct result of lack of body armour, helicopters and the use of snatch Land Rovers. To suffer these failings in Iraq is inexcusable, but to carry the same failings years later into Afghanistan is downright criminal.

If the appropriate requests were not made, requests were made and orders not placed, funds were not made available preventing placing of orders, or forces were deployed before the appropriate resources were available, then fault exists.

Let us now have a proper inquiry with teeth. If fault lies in the military, then a court martial; if fault lies with a civil servant, then a civil trial for negligence; if fault lies with Tony Blair or Gordon Brown, then hang draw and quarter should suffice.

PR Davies, High Coniscliffe, near Darlington.