Government Must Rule Out Illegal Attack On Iran - Teather

5.00.00pm GMT Tue 20th Mar 2007

Sarah Teather believes the war in Iraq has been a disaster

On the fourth anniversary of the Government's decision to follow George Bush into Iraq, Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has challenged the Government to rule out any illegal attack on Iran.

Speaking at a packed Stop The War Coalition assembly in Westminster, Sarah declared that the war in Iraq had been 'a disaster', and called on Tony Blair 'not to make the same mistake again'.

Since Labour and Conservative MPs voted to invade Iraq in 2003, the war has cost the UK £5 billion. 134 British soldiers have lost their lives and hundreds have been wounded or maimed. 34,452 Iraqi civilians died in 2006 alone.

Sarah told the People's Assembly that regime change in Iran would be illegal under international law, just as it was in Iraq.

Stop The War Coalition have placed a video recording of Sarah's speech on the popular video website YouTube.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"Four years on it is widely accepted that Labour's invasion of Iraq has been a disaster. Like many people in Brent, I am sickened every day by news reports showing the ongoing suffering of the Iraqi people.

"It is important that we learn from the devastating consequences of invading Iraq. Britain should never again join America in illegal military action. British foreign policy decisions must be made in London, not Washington.

"The Labour Government must now give a firm commitment to the people of Brent that they will not support any attack on Iran. However despicable the Iranian regime, an attack would only make the situation worse. Instead, we should be engaging Iran in constructive dialogue.

"When I was elected many people spoke to me about opposing Labour's unjust and illegal foreign policy decisions. I was pleased to be asked to speak at the Stop The War Coalition's People's Assembly, and will continue to oppose any illegal invasion of Iran."

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Watch Sarah's speech on YouTube.