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Proceeding contribution from Malcolm Rifkind (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 25 March 2008. It occurred during Opposition day on Iraq Inquiry.


Iraq Inquiry

A few moments ago, the Foreign Secretary argued that the conflict in Basra is a good argument against an inquiry. I am sure that he has read the recent interview given by Jonathan Powell, the former chief of staff to the Government, who makes it clear that the Government in no way planned for or understood the possibility of a sectarian conflict or internal civil war being likely to break out in Iraq if a war took place. Is that not precisely why we need to have an inquiry? Today's events in Basra demonstrate the inadequacy of the Government's preparation for one of the worst conflicts for which this or any British Government have been responsible in the past 100 years.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
474 c53 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Armed forces Armed conflict Deployment Inquiries Intelligence services Iraq Military alliances Terrorism Security Iraq conflict
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk