David Laws

Liberal Democrats | Yeovil

Laws slams inadequate inquiry into Iraq War

16 June 2009

David Laws, MP for Yeovil constituency, has slammed the Government's decision not to hold a public inquiry into the war in Iraq.

The Prime Minister announced an inquiry in the House of Commons today (Monday), but said that it will sit in secret and report after the General Election.

David Laws MP said:
"Of all the votes I have cast in Parliament, I am most proud to the one against the war in Iraq. This conflict cost hundreds of thousands of lives, as well as billions of pounds of taxpayers' money."

"We need a full public inquiry, rather than the secretive commission proposed by Gordon Brown. The families of the servicemen killed in Iraq, as well as all those who served and the thousands injured, deserve nothing less."

"I hope that the Prime Minister will reconsider this decision so that lessons can be learnt from the mistakes made in the build-up and planning of this disastrous war. The inquiry should also report by April of 2010, so that the conclusions are available before the likely date of the next General Election."