Speaking ahead of evidence to be given to the United States Congress today by General David Petraeus, Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell has accused the British Government of closing down debate about the continuing British military presence in Iraq. He said:

“While the strategy followed in Iraq by the United States has been under constant review by the Iraq Study Group, by both houses of Congress, and now General Petraeus, the British Government has failed to show the same openness.

“Rather than promoting debate regarding our future role, it has been closing it down. The Government has still not explained what military purpose or political objectives are being served by our presence.

“The continuing deployment in Iraq does not justify the unacceptable level of British causalities.

“Our future role in Iraq should be put at the top of the political agenda.”

Commenting on the MoD announcement today that Britain’s military deployment in southern Iraq is to be cut by 500, Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell said:

“This reduction is not unexpected. But the Government has still failed to answer the two fundamental questions about our continuing deployment in southern Iraq. What military purpose is being served and what political objectives are being achieved?

“Nearly a year ago, Britain’s most senior soldier Sir Richard Dannatt questioned our continuing role in Iraq. Nothing that has happened since has undermined either his analysis that we are exacerbating the security situation or his conclusion that we should leave soon.

“500 troops is a start, but it’s a long way short of the total withdrawal which is necessary.”

Commenting in response to correspondence received from Gordon Brown on Iraq and Afghanistan in reply to a letter from himself, Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell said:

“The Prime Minister’s letter simply rehearses the Government line and could have been written by his predecessor. But the reality on the ground and the views of senior military figures undermine Mr Brown’s analysis.

“The debate on this issue will not go away, particularly as the American presidential elections will put Iraq at the centre of American politics.

“It should now be put to the top of Britain’s agenda.”

Responding to comments made by George Bush’s adviser Frederick Kagan about the British strategy in Iraq, Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell said:

“It is high time anyone in the US stopped trying to tell the British how to run our own defence policy.

“That policy is made in Britain and should be based on our moral responsibility towards the young men and women of our armed forces to prevent further needless casualties.

“No one can accuse us of cutting and running after four and a half years of mounting casualties.

“If the US had made proper provision for post-conflict Iraq, many of the current problems would never have arisen.”

Responding to George Bush’s comparison of the Iraq War with Vietnam, Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell said:

“The President’s efforts to derive support for America’s position in Iraq from its experience in Vietnam show more than a hint of despair.

“Likewise his references to Japan are equally inept. His analysis fails to acknowledge that, in defeating Japan, the allies were acting wholly in accordance with international law and responding to Japanese aggression.

“Things must be getting pretty desperate when an American President feels it necessary to rely on the bruising and never to be repeated experience in Vietnam.”