A government committee set up to look into the decision-making process surrounding the Netherlands’ politicial support for the Iraq war is to look at claims that the Dutch security service failed to carry out its duties, the Telegraaf reports.

The paper claimed at the weekend that AIVD security service officials used reports drawn up by foreign secret service organisations without any critical assessment. These reports then mislead ministers about Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction.
In particular, they relied on reports by the British secret service MI6 which were later found to have been exaggerated for political reasons, the paper said.
No verification
The Telegraaf says Dutch secret service officials did hardly any independent research or verification of claims made by others.
At the end of last year, the government gave into mounting political pressure and agreed to set up a commission to report on the Dutch role in the 2003 Iraq war.
In particular, MPs had wanted access to civil service reports which led ministers to give their political backing for the US and British invasion.