The Iraq inquiry and the appearance of BNP leader Nick Griffin on Question Time were among topics discussed by journalist and broadcaster David Aaronovitch at a League of Jewish Women event in central London.

Interviewed by league president Ella Marks, he said that while the Iraq inquiry was “an important historical exercise, those who are looking for answers will be disappointed other than to enjoy the theatre of it”.

As for Griffin’s Question Time debut, Mr Aaronovitch felt freedom of speech was paramount. And as a journalist who had interviewed Griffin, he could not suggest it was wrong for others to do likewise.

Discussing his latest book Voodoo Histories, which focuses on conspiracy theories, he explained: “I am very interested in why people believe what they believe.”
Mr Aaronovitch spoke at length about conspiracy theories, taking in the antisemitic forgery, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.