Gordon Banks responds to SNP criticism over Iraq Inquiry.

Gordon Banks today hit back at a Press Release issued by Perthshire Politicians Roseanna Cunningham and Annabelle Ewing criticising the Government for not holding an Inquiry into the Iraq War.

Mr Banks said -

“This has been the third call for an Inquiry into Iraq since the war started and all three have been defeated by a vote in the House of Commons.  This Government has said that an inquiry will take place at the appropriate time but has also said that we need an inquiry that looks into the war and its aftermath.  We have not reached that point so it would be foolish to have an inquiry now then another one after all troops are brought home.” 

“We need an all encompassing Inquiry at the appropriate time and not one which comes about as a result of politicians whose only concern is to score a hit on the Government rather than to find out what lessons can be learned from Iraq.”

“No Inquiry has ever taken place whilst we have soldiers in theatre and indeed there was no Inquiry into the Korean War, Suez , Gulf or Balkan conflicts.  The Inquiry into the Falklands Conflict took place after the conflict.  An Inquiry must be held when the time is right - Right for our troops and for their operations on the ground.  The troops should not be distracted by what would inevitably be an argument whether they should be in Iraq or not.  This would leave our troops in a very vulnerable position and even anti-war Labour MPs have been critical over the call for an Inquiry at this stage.”

“An Inquiry would also give great comfort and encouragement to Al-Qaeda – we must show a united front and show groups like Al-Qaeda that our will is unshakeable and we remain steadfast in our campaign in Iraq – an inquiry at this stage will do more harm than good.  Let’s leave our soldiers to get on with the task we have given them rather than pull them from theatre and question them.”

.”These engagements, some of which have been taking place in Basra over the last few days need the full attention of our military.”

“It is wrong to say that the War in Iraq escapes scrutiny. Since 2003 there have been four separate inquiries into specific aspects – The Hutton Enquiry, the Butler Inquiry, The Foreign Affairs Committee Enquiry and the Intelligence and Security Committee Enquiry.  Since the start of the war there have been 60 Parliamentary Debates on the issue of Iraq.”

“I am surprised that Roseanna Cunningham and her political lap dog Annabelle Ewing find the time to criticise me every week.  Perhaps Ms Cunningham should stick to the issues she was elected to represent her constituents on.  When she does this should also explain to them why her SNP administration has failed to deliver on its election manifesto promises.  Instead of criticising me she should explain why the SNP have failed to deliver their promises on class sizes, University funding, Police numbers, grants for first time homebuyers.  The list goes on and on…”

“The SNP is simply out to score party political points and nothing more and Ms Ewing’s statement that ‘documents will go missing and emails will be deleted’ is a slur on the integrity of everyone who works for any Government.”

“The SNP never fail to miss an opportunity to jump on a bandwagon and this is another example.  The unholy alliance between the Tories and the Nationalists is in fine form and I have no doubt that I will be subjected to these attacks on an ever increasing basis.  The Politics of Deceit will remain rampant in Perthshire as long as the views of Ms Cunningham and Ms Ewing are given any credence. ”

“An Inquiry at this point in time would put at the risk the security of those front line troops that the SNP and Tories purport to protect.”