Local MP condemns Government for blocking Iraq enquiry

Date published: 15 June 2007

Paul Rowen MP has condemned the Government for blocking an inquiry into the war in Iraq.

This week the Liberal Democrats voted for an inquiry by an independent committee of Privy Counsellors into the government's responsibilities in regards to the war in Iraq. But the motion fell when the Labour Party voted against it.

Mr Rowen said: "We need an independent inquiry into the Iraq war more than ever. I would have hoped that it would have been one of the highest priorities for Prime-Minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown. Instead this Labour Government seem committed to concealing from us the truth about this illegal and unjust war.

"I understand that some parts of an inquiry would have to be kept private in the short term to protect our servicemen and women currently in Iraq. But
that is no excuse to stop asking the questions altogether.

"We must told why we went to war; when the decision was taken that we were going to war; when the UK made clear this commitment to the United States President; and what our Government hoped to gain be military intervention. We also need to know why attempts to 'win the peace' have been failing so miserably. Was it, in the words of the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, caused by poor preparation, 'probably based more on optimism than planning'?

"I am disappointed that so many Labour MPs who I know and who I respect on a personal level have voted to keep the truth from the us. How can any Government learn from their mistakes if they will not investigate them. How can the public be expected to trust politicians when they plot to keep the most important matters of the day secret from them? I had hoped that Gordon Brown would lead the Labour Party with a more honest and open approach than Tony Blair. I fear that we will all be let down."