PM 'HAS MUCH TO ANSWER FOR' AS HE FACES CHILCOT INQUIRY

PM 'HAS MUCH TO ANSWER FOR' AS HE FACES CHILCOT INQUIRY

MAN WHO BANKROLLED WAR TO BE HELD TO ACCOUNT

Commenting on the confirmation that that Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to
give evidence to the Chilcot Inquiry on his role in the Iraq invasion -
before voters go to the polls later this year, SNP Westminster Leader and
Defence Spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, said:

"The net is closing in on Gordon Brown.

"As other senior, serving members of the UK Government give evidence to
the Chilcot Inquiry, it is only right and proper the Prime Minister is
held to account for his role in the invasion.

"Tony Blair led us into the worst foreign policy disaster in modern times
and, as others involved in the run up to the conflict have already told
the Chilcot Inquiry, Gordon Brown was part of the inner circle - he knows
exactly what happened.

"Recent opinion polls show people still believe they are being deceived
over the war in Iraq and we cannot know the full facts until all the major
players - including Gordon Brown - give their evidence. Only then can the
public reach their own conclusions and deliver their verdict at the
forthcoming election.

"Gordon Brown has much to answer for - not least why he as Chancellor
could agree to an illegal and immoral invasion but lacked the courage to
stand up for our troops and provide the right equipment as they were put
in harm way.

"There must be no delay in setting a date for this hearing. Gordon Brown
must be held responsible because responsible he is.”

CHILCOT NET CLOSING IN ON PRIME MINISTER

CHILCOT NET CLOSING IN ON PRIME MINISTER

MAN WHO BANKROLLED WAR TO BE HELD TO ACCOUNT

SNP Westminster Leader and Defence Spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, has
seized on reports that Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to give evidence to
the Chilcot Inquiry on his role in the Iraq invasion - before voters go to
the polls later this year.

The announcement comes just one day after Mr Robertson challenged Gordon
Brown to give evidence in public before the General Election at Prime
Minister's Questions.

Commenting, Mr Robertson said:

"The net is closing in on Gordon Brown.

"Despite all his efforts to force the Iraq inquiry behind closed doors,
the case for the man who bankrolled the illegal war in Iraq to give full
evidence in public is overwhelming - and now even he has acknowledged
that.

"Tony Blair led us into the worst foreign policy disaster in modern
times and, as senior figures involved in the run up to the conflict have
already told the Chilcot Inquiry, Gordon Brown was right beside him all
the way.

"The truth of illegal invasion must be known before voters goes to
the polls at the General Election. The people deserve the whole truth
about a war fought in their name but the full facts cannot be known until
Gordon Brown is held to account for his actions.

"There must be no delay in setting a date for this hearing."

LABOUR’S WMD LIES “undermined trust”

LABOUR’S WMD LIES “undermined trust”

We can’t trust a word labour says

Former Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, the first serving Labour Minister to appear before the Chilcot Inquiry, today (Thursday) admitted that the failure to find weapons of mass destruction - the justification for the invasion - had "undermined trust" in the UK Government.

As the revelations from the Chilcot Inquiry continued, SNP Westminster Leader and Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Angus Robertson MP said, it was impossible to believe a word Labour says.

Commenting Mr Robertson said:

“Here we have the former foreign secretary himself admitting that the inability to find weapons of mass destruction “undermined trust”. It’s no wonder the public can’t believe a word Labour says.

“Jack Straw is a still a Cabinet Minster. If, as he says, the public lost confidence in Labour years ago, why should we presume it is any different now?

“This weekend’s damning poll - which showed over half of people believe Tony Blair deliberately misled the country over the war and 23% think he should be tried as a war criminal - is proof the public aren’t prepared to tolerate Labour lies any longer. They deserve to know the truth about a war fought in their name.

“So far before Chilcot we’ve seen Alasdair Campbell spinning himself in circles and various advisers who weren’t there when the big decisions were made. Now we need to hear from Tony Blair, the man who made the decision to lead the country to war, and from Gordon Brown, the man who signed the cheques to make it happen.

“The Prime Minister has now put on the record that he has no objections to appearing at anytime - there must be no delay in setting a date to ensure that Gordon Brown accounts for his actions before the election.

“Can the public trust Labour’s word on this at least?”

SNP WISH TROOPS SAFE RETURN FROM AFGHANISTAN

SNP WISH TROOPS SAFE RETURN FROM AFGHANISTAN

CONCERNS OVER UK STRATEGY CONTINUE

SNP Westminster Leader and Defence Spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, today (Thursday) wished the 1000 Scotland-based troops set to be deployed in Afghanistan a safe return. Mr Robertson added that he had continuing concerns over the wider UK strategy in Afghanistan as it emerged the UK Government planned to diminish its diplomatic efforts in the region.

Commenting, Mr Robertson, whose Moray constituency takes in both RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss, said:

“We wish our brave servicemen and women a safe return from Afghanistan. They do a great job under very difficult circumstances and our thoughts are with them and their families at this uncertain time.

“As they serve on the front line, they need to know that diplomatic and other efforts back homes are seriously focussed on ending the conflict in Afghanistan.

“Today’s developments in the House of Commons underline the need for a considered UK strategy aimed at ending the conflict and bringing our troops home once and for all.”