Nationalists pledge to impeach Blair
Plaid Cymru and the SNP have joined forces with a pledge to resurrect attempts to impeach Tony Blair in the next session of Parliament.
The nationalist parties made their first attempt to impeach Mr Blair in the last Parliament, claiming that he had lied to the House of Commons in the run up to war in Iraq.
They claim to have been the real opposition to the war in Iraq, saying that the Conservatives voted for war and the Liberal Democrats failed to back their campaign to impeach Blair.
Today, SNP leader Alex Salmond and Plaid’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd promised to step up impeachment attempts in the next Parliament.
Mr Llwyd said: “The Liberal Democrats failed to back Plaid Cymru’s campaign to impeach Tony Blair for his lies over the Iraq war. Now they are calling for another inquiry that will not achieve anything.”
He added: “As for the Tory leadership, it is sheer hypocrisy for them to seek to capitalize on this issue. They bought Tony Blair’s lies. They supported the attack which was in breach of international law, led to the death of tens of thousands of people and emboldened George Bush perhaps for further foreign adventures.
“No one will believe them when they suddenly decide to take this issue up only 11 days before the election.”
Mr Salmond said: “The SNP and Plaid Cymru motion for the impeachment of the Prime Minister will be put back on the Order Paper of the House of Commons after the election. If the Liberals and Tories are serious about holding the Prime Minister to account they should back our motion.
“Taking the country to war based on a lie is one of the most serious allegations that can be made. It deserves a serious response. The SNP is committed to holding this Prime Minister fully to account for his actions, we hope that the other parties will follow our lead.”
