The Chilcot Enquiry - How it Actually Started

"O John Chilcot," Brown said, "the task we have hired you to perform is this. We want you to tell us...." he paused, "The Answer."

"The Answer? to what?"

"Iraq!" urged Brown.

"Saddam!" said Mandelson.

"Everything!" they said in chorus.

Chilcot paused for a moment's reflection.

"Tricky," he said finally.

"But can you do it?"

Again, a significant pause. "Yes," said Chilcot, "I can do it."

"There is an answer?" said Brown, with breathless excitement.

"Yes," said Chilcot. "Iraq, Saddam, and Everything. There is an answer. But, I'll have to think about it."

Mandelson glanced impatiently at his watch. “How long?” he said.