Scott Report publication - live

In November 1992, the trial of three directors of engineering company Matrix Churchill for violating the ban on arms sales to Iraq collapsed, after it became clear they were encouraged to flout the ban by the Ministry of Defence. This led to a political scandal and an inquiry led by Lord Justice Scott; after three years of hearings and deliberation, the Scott report was published on 15 February 1996.

The build-up to the report saw the Major government accused of deliberately restricting access for Labour opposition spokesman Robin Cook (who was allowed only three hours to view the 1,806 page report early on the day). In a variation from normal practice, the sitting was adjourned for ten minutes to allow MPs to claim a copy before the President of the Board of Trade Ian Lang made a statement.

This is the background to a special edition of 'Westminster with Nick Ross' on BBC 2.

Видео Scott Report publication - live канала David Boothroyd