Britain’s Tony Blair to give evidence to UK inquiry into Iraq war on Jan. 29

Blair to give evidence to Iraq inquiry on Jan. 29

LONDON — Britain’s Iraq war inquiry says former Prime Minister Tony Blair will give evidence on January 29.

The inquiry said Monday that Blair, Britain’s leader from 1997 to 2007, would offer a whole day’s worth of testimony during the session.

Blair’s decision to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 was deeply unpopular, though the lawmaker went on to win a 2005 national election with a reduced majority.

The government-comissioned inquiry won’t apportion blame or establish criminal or civil liability for mistakes, but will offer recommendations on how to prevent errors in pre- and postwar planning.

Officials said public seats for the session would be allocated in a ballot, given the high demand to watch Blair’s testimony.