The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

596. Mr Henderson concluded by commenting that although TPUK participated in

the weekly meetings of the AHGI:

“… the overall Whitehall agenda appears to attach little importance to the

commercial aspect and the interests of UK companies.”

597. Mr Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, discussed post-conflict issues with

Mr Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defense, and Dr Rice in Washington on

12 February.

598. Mr Drummond sent Mr Ian Lee, MOD Director General Operational Policy, a final

version of the UK’s “key messages” on post-conflict Iraq on 11 February, for Mr Hoon

to use in his meetings.347 The final key message was:

“Level playing field: Big contracts to rebuild Iraq. Putting UK lives on line.

Expect level playing field for UK business in oil and other areas.”

599. The British Embassy in Washington’s record of Mr Hoon’s meetings with Secretary

Rumsfeld and Dr Rice on 12 February did not include any reference to a discussion on

commercial issues.348

600. Mr Henderson advised an FCO official on 25 February that the “general point”

that UK companies should be in a position to access opportunities arising from

reconstruction and rehabilitation in Iraq had been raised at an (unspecified) high level

with the US Government.349 The UK had been assured that a level playing field would

apply. Mr Henderson commented: “however, the reality is that US companies will be in

a privileged position”.

601. Mr Henderson sought Baroness Symons’ agreement on 27 February that officials

should adopt a “more open, pro-active approach” in their dealings with UK companies.350

Interest from UK companies was growing, and the UK Government needed to be seen

to respond.

602. Baroness Symons forwarded Mr Henderson’s minute to Mr Straw and Ms Patricia

Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister for Women and Equality.351

In a covering letter, Baroness Symons reported that more and more companies were

approaching her and TPUK about post-conflict reconstruction. The UK Government had

been careful not to take a more public stance in support of UK business. That was the

347 Letter Drummond to Lee, 11 February 2003, ‘Iraq Post Conflict: Key Messages’ attaching Paper Cabinet

Office, 11 February 2003, ‘Iraq Post Conflict: Key Messages’.

348 Telegram 203 Washington to FCO London, 13 February 2003, ‘Iraq: Defence Secretary’s Visit to

Washington.

349 Minute Henderson to FCO [junior official], 25 February 2003, ‘Iraq: UK/US issues’.

350 Minute Henderson to PS/Symons, 27 February 2003, ‘Iraq Contingency Planning: Commercial Aspects’.

351 Minute Symons to Straw and Hewitt, [undated], ‘Iraq: Commercial Aspects’.

464