US House approves new Benghazi inquiryChris Carrington Four Americans including US Ambassador Chris Stevens were killed. The 11 September 2012 attack, in which gunmen stormed the US compound and set it on fire, has become a political lightning rod. The Republicans have accused the Obama administration of covering up the involvement of militant groups in the days after the attack in order to protect President Barack Obamas 2012 re-election campaign. The White House initially said the attack was sparked by protests about an anti-Islam video produced in the US. Ahead of the vote on Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner promised an eminently fair investigation to answer questions stemming from the attack. Republicans have been very critical of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is now weighing a 2016 presidential run. Congressional Democrats, meanwhile, have argued that the panel will be too partisan in nature and have accused conservatives of using it to energise Republican voters prior to midterm elections in November. House Speaker, John Boehner defended the make-up of the panel saying: 