Howard seeks 'open' approach to Iraq

Conservative leader Michael Howard has demanded an "open and honest" response from the Government on the situation in Basra.

Earlier this week, the Iraqi Governor in Basra declared that there would be no further co-operation until an apology is made for an incident where two British soldiers were rescued from militia.

Mr Howard said that the Government should reveal the extent of the worsening situation in Iraq, the extent of police infiltration by insurgents, and set out a clear strategy.

However, the Conservative leader stressed that "we can't cut and run" and that pulling out of Iraq was not the answer as it could make the country a base for world terrorism.

Mr Howard has called on ministers to give an honest appraisal of the crisis confronting British troops, following the breakdown of relations between the Army and Iraqi police in Basra.

On Monday two undercover soldiers, reported to be SAS men, were freed in an operation during which two armoured vehicles came under attack by petrol bombers. The action was robustly defended by the senior officer in Basra who said it was unacceptable for British troops to be handed over to militia by the Iraqi police.

Mr Howard said that he shared the Government's objective to create a sustainable and peaceful Iraq, but the Government keeps talking about the extra number of Iraqi police officers. But if the Iraqi police behave as they did on Monday and side with the militants against the British Army, I don't think we can take comfort from these figures."

The Conservative Shadow Defence Secretary Michael Ancram has written to Defence Secretary John Reid following his statement that British forces will continue to assist the Iraqi government "for as long as they judge necessary".

Mr Ancram has urged the minister to state whether British forces would remain in Iraq for as long as the Iraqi Government judged the Coalition necessary to assist and develop the Iraqi Security Forces and provide security.

He is also seeking an assurance that British troops will not be allowed to get caught up in a full scale Iraqi civil war, and a commitment that the UK Government reserves the right to take the ultimate decision regarding how long British troops remain in Iraq.

Mr Ancram warned that the "uncertainty of Government's approach" was only adding to the problem.

(SP)