LONDON—U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown defended the country's decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003 and fended off accusations that the government's funding of military operations in Iraq fell short. Mr. Brown's appearance before a panel examining the U.K.'s involvement in Iraq follows statements in recent weeks by defense officials who said the government hadn't fully funded military spending. Relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq have complained about a shortage of heavily armored vehicles. Mr. Brown was Chancellor of the Exchequer during much of the operation before becoming prime minister in 2007. The questions about a war that is unpopular in the U.K. come as the prime minister faces a general election in the spring. Related Reading Blair Defends Decision on Iraq War (01/30/10) Blair Defends UK-Iraq War (01/29/10) U.K. Adviser Calls Iraq Invasion Illegal (01/27/10) Blair in Spotlight for Role in Iraq War (01/24/10) Blair Made Early Iraq Pledge (01/13/10) U.K. Starts Inquiry on Iraq War (11/25/09) British Pulling Out of Iraq (12/17/09) Mr.[Read more...]