Teather backs inquiry into Iraq

12.42.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 1st Nov 2006

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather yesterday backed calls in Parliament for an inquiry into the war in Iraq.

The cross-party motion calling for an inquiry was narrowly defeated by just 25 votes. Both of Brent's Labour MPs Dawn Butler and Barry Gardiner voted against an inquiry and in favour of Tony Blair's Government.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather said:

"Tony Blair and George Bush's war in Iraq has had catastrophic consequences for the Iraqi people and the stability of the Middle East. Not only were we taken to war on a false pretext but there was a complete failure by the US to plan for peace. We must start to learn the lessons of Iraq now before it is too late.

"What is clear is that the best interest of Britain and the Iraqi people is for the British Government to start work on a phased exit strategy. When General Dannatt said we needed to 'get ourselves out sometime soon' there is no doubt that he meant a matters of months rather than years."