Labour MP calls for Iraq troops withdrawal
Terrorists will have the argument they seek to recruit young bombers as long as British troops remain in Iraq, according to a British Labour MP.
John McDonnell MP said it was “intellectually unsustainable” for the British government to say the Iraq war played no part in last week’s bombings.
And addressing the Labour Representation Committee conference, he called for an immediate withdrawal of troops.
Ministers have said the attacks should not be linked to the invasion, while Downing street has highlighted other terrorist outrages pre-dating the war.
The MP said in the aftermath of the atrocities it had not been right for a strident debate about them, but as the government now started to come up with its legislative response, it was time for a measured discussion.
He said the Butler Inquiry had revealed security service warnings of an upsurge in terrorism if Britain joined the US invasion.
He said: “Now is the time to prevent further violence by renouncing violent solutions ourselves. Our mission must be to prevent conflict, not provoke it. For as long as Britain remains in occupation in Iraq, the terrorist recruiters will have the argument they seek to attract more susceptible young recruits to their bomb teams.
“Britain must withdraw now.”
He went on: “What message is sent to young people when two million march against a war, with those marches led by young Muslims actively participating in politics often for the first time, and yet they have their voices ignored?”
He said young Muslims across the world were being influenced by pictures of Allied bombing of Baghdad, abuse at Abu Graib jail and chained prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
Immediately after the London bombings, which killed 55, George Galloway MP was condemned for suggesting the capital had paid the price for the war.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy was criticised by Labour and Conservatives for suggesting the invasion had fuelled terrorism.
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