Brown announces withdrawal of troops from Iraq amid calls for inquiry

Friday, 19th December 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

Prime Minister Gordon Brown today announced that a "rapid withdrawal" of UK troops from Iraq would begin in June 2009. The 4,100 British military troops still in the country will be reduced next summer to just 400 who will remain in place to work with the Iraqi navy and help with training.

The UK's mission to improve security, aid in the reconstruction of the country and to train Iraq's military and police, has been very successful, said Mr Brown and by the end of May, the need for a British presence will be significantly reduced. "People can be proud that Iraq is a far better place than it was five years ago," he said, adding that Britain intended to maintain a strong defence and good trade relationship with Iraq.

He rejected calls for an inquiry into the war which both the Conservatives and the Lib Dems want to see happen as soon as possible. Tory leader David Cameron demanded that a full-scale inquiry was essential in order that "we can learn from the mistakes made". Meanwhile Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg accused the government of taking the country into an “illegal war. "Isn't it time the government and the opposition held up their hands and said sorry to the British people for Iraq?" he said.

Mr Brown returned from Iraq on Wednesday where he paid tribute to the 178 British servicemen and women killed in the country since 2003.

Please add your comment here. Your Name *: Email (private) *: Town : Country :

Quick Links