The government has been accused of trying to short-circuit investigations into the foot and mouth crisis by insisting that the inquiry is held in private.

As farmers mounted a legal challenge for a full public inquiry, they accused the government of putting a desire for speed ahead of concerns about public confidence by holding the "Lessons to be Learned" inquiry behind closed doors.

Tony Blair will give evidence to the inquiry, although his account will never be made public after it was agreed there will be no recording or transcript of the event.