Lib Dems call for Iraq war inquiry

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has called for a public inquiry into the war on Iraq, saying that Britain’s international reputation had been “damaged” by the way Prime Minister Tony Blair had handled the affair.

Mr Kennedy attacked both Labour and the Conservatives over the decision to support US President George W. Bush’s decision to go to war in Iraq and said: “There is no question that the conduct of the government in the run-up to war in Iraq and the deployment of British troops in support of President Bush’s policy of regime change is something that no Labour candidate, or Conservative candidate for that matter, can avoid. Quite frankly – the people of Britain won’t allow it.

“Iraq deserves to be a central issue in this election, not only because of what has happened, but because of what may yet come to pass.”

Mr Kennedy’s comments follow an article published in the ‘Mail on Sunday’ yesterday, which claimed Attorney General Lord Goldsmith had given six reasons why military action in Iraq might be illegal, in a 13-page paper. However, Lord Goldsmith has always publicly declared that the war in Iraq was lawful.

Mr Blair has consistently argued that the advice he received on the Iraq war was lawful and has defended his decision to support the US-led war on Iraq.

However, Conservative leader Michael Howard has accused Mr Blair of lying about the intelligence justifying the war, although he admitted that he thought Britain was right to go to war in Iraq. He said: “I think it was possible to go to war but to tell the truth.”

Mr Kennedy has called for the Attorney General’s full legal advice to be published and for a proper inquiry to be held into the reasons behind the Iraq war. The party has also taken out newspaper advertisements, criticising the decision to go to war stating: ‘We Oppose Bush & Blair on Iraq: We Propose Never Again’.

Mr Kennedy said: “It is this Labour government which took the decision to send our troops to Iraq, with the full support of the Conservative party. It is they who must be held accountable. Every Labour candidate should answer for the government’s rush to war. Every Conservative candidate should answer for their party’s supine support.”

The Liberal Democrat leader added: “Tony Blair says that ‘history’ will be his judge. He is wrong – the British people will be his judge. At this general election they will judge him on the lack of planning for the aftermath of the war- the underestimation of the task – the distraction from the real and important threat of the terrorists.”

(KMcA/SP)