British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will now appear before the Chilcot Inquiry on Iraq before the next general election and not afterwards as was originally stated.

The inquiry is investigating Britain's decision to invade Iraq together with the United States in 2003, when Mr Brown held a key government position as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr Brown insists he has nothing to hide but the opposition is keen for him to appear ahead of the election, arguing that voters have a right to hear his testimony before deciding who to vote for. No election date has yet been set, but Britain is widely expected to go to the polls in May.

Tony Blair, who was prime minister at the time of the 2003 Iraq invasion, is due to appear before the inquiry in one week's time.