Totnes Liberal Democrat challenges Anthony Steen to support vote on troop deployment in Iraq

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 20th Oct 2004

Totnes Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman, Mike Treleaven, today challenged Totnes M.P.to support Liberal Democrat calls for a vote on the proposed redeployment of British troops to the US sector in Iraq.

'I have e-mailed Mr. Steen today challenging him to support our call for a vote before British troops are put under American command in the American sector and await his reply. We have a situation where British troops are likely to be under American command and operating in the American sector in Iraq. One has to question whether this is just another case of Tony Blair trying to prop up George Bush just two weeks before the American Presidential election. Liberal Democrats have taken a principled, clear and consistent view on the Iraq situation, a view which is daily being proved to be more and more correct. To further commit our troops to a situation where they will be in increased danger and not under British command demands a vote in the House of Commons.'

He continued:

' Fundamental changes to the way in which British troops are deployed should be fully debated in the House of Commons and a vote taken. The Liberal Democrats are calling for such a vote and I would urge Mr. Steen to speak up and support this call now'

Letter to A. Steen:

Dear Anthony,

On Thursday the House of Commons will debate 'Defence in the World' during which the proposed deployment of British Troops in the American sector of Iraq and under American command will be raised.

These proposals make two fundamental changes from the current situation- the troops will be operating outside the British sector and under American command. There is considerable unrest amongst M.Ps of all parties about this situation. Our troops, who operate in an entirely different way from the Americans, will be put into more dangerous areas outside our Government's control. The Government will be seen, yet again, to be propping up the Bush administration just two weeks away from the Presidential elections. To do this without a vote in the House of Commons is an affront to democracy.

The Liberal Democrats, who have taken a clear, principled and consistent stand on the Iraq situation are calling for a vote to be taken before troops are committed, a call I fully support. I would ask you to also support this move and ensure that Parliament has the chance to decide whether our troops should be deployed in this way.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Treleaven