THIS week sees the long-awaited and much-delayed publication of the Chilcot report on the Iraq War. Its findings are of great significance, particularly to the families of those who gave their lives in that conflict.

Our communities of Lyneham and Royal Wootton Bassett came to national prominence as the pathway home for those fallen young men and women and their grieving families. Both places did great honour to that deep sadness. I am sure both would have forgone the recognition to have saved those lives and the heartbreak their loss has caused to so many.

Iraq was an illegal war. It should never have happened. A few brave MPs in both the Conservative and Labour Parties‎ defied their leaders. They sided with the late Charles Kennedy, then Lib Dem leader and his united party to oppose the war. Charles was abused and jeered at the time for his principled leadership in opposition to it. How right he was, just like he was on Europe, and how much we miss him.

Tragically for all those lost British lives, those of our allies and of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who have died since‎ as their shattered country continues in chaos, our MP James Gray was not among the brave.

He, and all those who voted for the Iraq War in the final vote, made such a disastrous error of judgement. They and particularly the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, owe those grieving families a heartfelt and unreserved public apology. I hope they get it.

Dr Brian Mathew, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for North Wiltshire