Labour MPs attacked over Iraq inquiry vote

11.26.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 13th Jun 2007

Jerry Evans has attacked local Labour MPs for opposing an inquiry into the Iraq war.

Liberal Democrats in Birmingham have attacked Labour MPs Liam Byrne, Richard Burden, Khalid Mahmood, Steve McCabe, Sion Simon and Gisela Stuart 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 six Birmingham Labour MPs turned up to join their Labour colleagues in voting down the inquiry.

Speaking to a meeting of members in Birmingham after the vote, Councillor Jerry Evans said, "I am disappointed that so many of Birmingham's Labour MPs have opposed an inquiry. I believe they should explain to their constituents why an inquiry should not be held now and why the day we learn the lessons of the Iraq War fiasco has to be delayed."

"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. Government needs to learn lessons from this disastrous venture."

Cllr Jerry Evans also told the meeting 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."