Parliament must debate Iraq Air Strikes

12.00.00am GMT Mon 19th Feb 2001

Liberal Democrat MEP Diana Wallis has called for a full parliamentary debate following Friday's Anglo-American bombing of Baghdad.

Diana Wallis said, "The first bombing, back in 1988, came after a full parliamentary debate and only then in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 688. This time there has been no Parliamentary debate, no UN resolution - indeed the UN has expressed its disappointment - and in general the rest of the world has condemned the raids."

She went on to say, "Friday's bombing represents a change in policy. There is no parliamentary mandate as the UK parliament is not sitting for a week and as a result no full statement or explanation offered by a Foreign Office minister.

"In my opinion the decision to call Friday's bombing of Baghdad as 'routine' is incredible and needs proper explanation. If the European Parliament was sitting there would certainly be a call for an emergency motion against the action of the UK.

"All of this comes against a background of the proposed and controversial American National Missile Defence system (NMD) which, given the role of Fylingdales and Menwith Hill in that scheme, clearly puts Yorkshire in the frontline.

"Retiring Defence Chief, General Sir Charles Guthrie, warned last week of a 'doomsday scenario' if America presses ahead with NMD.

"For that reason, as Blair cosies up to Bush at Camp David this week, Yorkshire in particular must have a debate on this matter and insist that the Blair makes no offer to the Americans without a full mandate from Parliament."