Party leaders condemn “shocking” Iraq photographs
All of the main party leaders united in the House of Commons this afternoon to condemn the photographs of British soldiers allegedly abusing Iraqi prisoners.
The photographs, which are being used as evidence in the court martial of three British soldiers, were widely published in this morning’s papers and have been reproduced around the world.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Commons this lunchtime, Tony Blair said that the pictures were “shocking and appalling”.
And Opposition Leader Michael Howard said they had brought “shame on our country…but in no way reflect the true nature of Britain’s armed forces”.
Responding Mr Blair said the Army and the British Government as a whole would do “everything we can. to investigate the circumstances behind them”.
He pointed out that in a democracy people are held to account when bad things happen.
Mr Blair stressed that the vast majority of soldiers serving in Iraq have done so with “distinction and courage” and these incidences in no reflects the general standards and behaviour of British troops.
Charles Kennedy joined in with the condemnation of the photographs, before asking the Prime Minister what effect their publication would have on British troops currently serving in Iraq. He questioned whether further deployment would be necessary.
But Mr Blair said he was confident that the recent extra deployment for the election was “satisfactory and sufficient” and there were no plans for any additional deployment. He added that he hoped the people in Iraq understood that the prosecution of the soldiers involved showed that the UK did not tolerate such abuse.
In terms of a withdrawal of British troops, he said that “we do not want to stay a moment longer than we need to”, but Britain will stay until the Iraqi government has developed a “sufficiently robust capability” to deal with security.
Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse – including high-ranking officers.
Mr Salmond MP said: “There must be an investigation into the circumstances that have led to these allegations. We should not just be looking at the lower ranks but address how this has been dealt with at the very highest levels. This also raises the question of the corrupting influence that affects soldiers when they are placed into an illegal and unnecessary war.”
