Government urged to come clean on cost of Iraq conflict

The Lib Dems have called on the government to come clean over the financial costs of Britain's involvement in the Iraq war – the bill for which, the party has estimated, may strip taxpayers of around £7 billion.

The party has today pressed defence ministers to confirm estimates that the continuing price of occupation in Iraq is costing British taxpayers more than £100 million a month.

Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable also asked ministers to clarify how much had been spent by the government on the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq; and how much has been set aside in the budget for the continuing presence of UK troops, and for how long.

The 1991 Gulf War cost the UK £2.3 billion, however, friendly Arab countries repaid 80% of the costs of that war. But the price of the recent conflict is being paid fully by British taxpayers, Dr Cable said.

Had the US and UK followed the UN route, rather than going it alone, much of this cost could have been shared with other countries, as happened in 1991, the Lib Dem frontbencher added.

"Because we went to war unilaterally with the United States, this time it is British and US taxpayers who are alone suffering the huge financial burden of war. The eventual cost to us - UK taxpayers - could be as much as £6 or £7 billion," he said.

"This is a phenomenal sum of money. It is time the government came clean and told us exactly how much is being spent in our name, especially if it plans to send even more troops to Iraq.

"Instead President Bush’s determination to go to war, and Tony Blair’s determination to follow him, is now costing British taxpayers billions of our hard-earned money."

Dr Cable added: "The lesson for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown is that being unquestioningly cosy with George Bush has proved very expensive indeed."

(gmcg)