Labour MP attacked over Iraq inquiry vote

4.27.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th Jun 2007

LIBERAL Democrats in Edinburgh North & Leith have attacked local Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz for voting against a call in Parliament for an independent inquiry into the Iraq war and occupation.

MPs voted on Monday 11th June in the House of Commons on the call for an inquiry but Mark Lazarowicz turned up to join his Labour colleagues to vote down the inquiry.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman, Kevin Lang said, "I am disappointed that Mark Lazarowicz has voted to block an independent inquiry. He needs to explain to people in Edinburgh North & Leith why an inquiry should not be held now and why we must delay learning the lessons of the Iraq War fiasco."

"Liberal Democrats have consistently argued for an inquiry since the invasion in 2003 when we opposed the decision to go to war.

"Gordon Brown has called for a more open and accountable way of running government. This will not wash with the British people when his own MPs are blocking attempts to have a full and independent inquiry into what has been the biggest disaster in foreign affairs for our country in half a century. The Government needs to learn lessons from this disastrous venture."

Kevin Lang also said that a timetable for withdrawal of British troops needs to be set. "The presence of the occupation troops is no longer seen as the solution to Iraq's problems. Instead, the occupation is seen as part of the problem by Iraqi people."