Local MEP backs Kennedy's tough stance on Iraq

6.31.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 10th May 2004

Local East Midlands MEP Bill Newton Dunn, speaking before Charles Kennedy's first European electoral broadcast, said that he wholly supported the view that Britain should not have gone to war in Iraq.

Kennedy's broadcast, on BBC 1 at 18h55 on 11 May, will focus on Iraq, urging voters to use the forthcoming European Elections to send a message to Tony Blair - that he was wrong to go to war.

The Liberal Democrat Euro-MP explained: "Not only were we sent to war on flimsy pretences - there is still no sign of any Weapons of Mass Destruction - but we have also irreparably damaged relations with the Muslim community.

"The government's failure on the war is further compounded by the astounding revelation from Amnesty International that the government had promised them an investigation into the alleged appalling abuses of Iraqi prisoners as early as October.

"We must hold the government to account for the grave mistake it made when it decided to commit British troops to the invasion of Iraq without the backing of the United Nations. We now see the terrible consequences of hasty action without any proper planning for Iraq's reconstruction. Thousands of lives have been lost and the Iraqi people live in fear and instability.

"Only the Liberal Democrats stood firm against the invasion of Iraq. The Conservatives have offered unfaltering support to Blair and his cronies. The European Elections give voters the chance to tell the Prime Minster how wrong he was on the war."

Kennedy will outline the cost of the war in terms of lives, stability, Britain's international relationships, tax-payers' money and Community trust.

Future Liberal Democrat European Election broadcasts will be May 26 and June 4. These will focus on specific manifesto pledges. Charles Kennedy will be visiting Derby on 4 June.