THE NEED FOR AN IRAQ INQUIRY
December 10, 2008 12:00 AM
As usual, the announcement that the final withdrawal from Iraq will begin next March was a leak rather than a Parliamentary statement. The decision itself is to be welcomed. The invasion has been a disaster for both the British military and the Iraqi populace. It has diverted attention and resources from the critical battleground in Afghanistan, and has done enormous damage to Britain's standing in the world.
As Nick Clegg noted, "the news that helicopters and other vital equipment are to be transferred to Afghanistan shows just how the Armed Forces have suffered as a result of the ongoing deployment in Iraq. It is disrespectful to our Armed Forces and the nation that our own Parliament does not hear this momentous news first. Gordon Brown must make a statement to the House at the next possible opportunity, and start treating our forces with the respect they deserve."
Nick joins other Liberal Democrat MPs in a protest against the Iraq War
The Government's first duty is to its citizens; yet, in a terrible abdication of its duty, it has allowed allowed British lives and material to be used as a smokescreen for a discredited and dishonest American President. For that reason alone, we need a public enquiry. In the past, the Government has stated that an enquiry "will be held when there are no British troops deployed and in danger in front line roles in Iraq". At some point next year, that will come to be the case. Let's hope the Prime Minister remembers his promise.
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