Kennedy: We will not move on from Iraq

Thursday, 22 September 2005 12:00 AM

Charles Kennedy today renewed his call for a clear exit strategy for British troops in Iraq, rejecting any suggestions he should "move on" from the issue.

The leader of the Lib Dems said he would not do that while people were still dying, while British soldiers were still in the firing line, and while the prime minister "remains in denial".

Mr Kennedy's comments come after defence secretary John Reid yesterday ruled out withdrawal from Iraq.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Dr Reid said Britain would not "cut and run" from the country.

But this week's riots in Basra showed that Iraqis saw British forces as an army of occupation and not liberators, Mr Kennedy said today.

And speaking ahead of a demonstration this weekend calling for troops to be pulled out of Iraq, he insisted: "The government must wake up and admit its responsibility.

"The government must make real efforts to find other nations to send troops - nations untainted by support for this disastrous war."

Mr Kennedy urged Tony Blair to stop letting his pride get in the way of finding a solution, saying his "blind support" for US president George Bush was costing lives.

"It's time he laid before parliament a proper, structured exit strategy for the phased withdrawal of British forces from Iraq," he said.

In his closing speech to the Lib Dems' annual conference in Blackpool, Mr Kennedy also echoed his home affairs spokesman's hard line on the anti-terror laws.

Mark Oaten told delegates yesterday that there would be "no blank cheque" for the government on these issues, and while Mr Kennedy today said he has no wish to inflame tensions with Number 10, he would hold fast to liberal principles.

"I believe when the country feels threatened, it's important that we are seen to be working together to find an appropriate structure for dealing with terrorists in our midst," he said.

"But I won't play a walk-on part. This process can't be all show and no substance."

He joined Mr Oaten in rejecting proposals to extend the time terrorist suspects can be detained to three months, saying it was a "prison sentence by any other name".

And the offence of glorifying terrorism was "unworkable", "badly drafted", and would not stand up in court, he said.

However, Mr Kennedy stressed that he was not just being difficult - "This is not to say we will oppose for opposition's sake. Some aspects of the government's proposals are good."

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