The long-awaited report into the Iraq war will be published on Wednesday, July 6, an inquiry spokesman has said.

Security checks on the 2.6 million word report have been completed without the need for any redactions.

The date of publication was agreed by the Inquiry's head, Sir John Chilcot and David Cameron.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Sir John said: 'National security checking of the Inquiry's report has now been completed, without the need for any redactions to appear in the text. I am grateful for the speed with which it was accomplished.'

He added: 'This will allow suitable time for the Inquiry to prepare the 2.6 million word report for publication, including final proof reading, formatting, printing and the steps required for electronic publication.'

Norfolk MP Keith Simpson, a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee, welcomed news of the date being set.

He previously called a debate in the House of Commons about the delay in the inquiry.

He welcomed the fact that publication would be after the European Union referendum as he said it needed to stand alone and would take time to digest its contents.