Campbell calls on Brown to set target date for Iraq troop withdrawal

1.12.50pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 12th Jun 2007

Liberal Democrats at the London rally against war in Iraq

Giving evidence to the Iraq Commission, Menzies Campbell yesterday called on Gordon Brown to give a target date for withdrawal of British troops from Iraq when he becomes Prime Minister. He said that during his visit to Iraq Gordon Brown should make clear to the Iraqi government that our continuing presence in the country is unsustainable.

MPs yesterday debates calls for an inquiry into the Iraq war and lessons to be learned. The chancellor said he did not back an inquiry being held while troops remain in Iraq.

Sir Ming Campbell said "Gordon Brown must recognise that given the lack of UK influence over coalition strategy, the deepening sectarian conflict, and the increasing antipathy of the Iraqi people to the coalition forces, the time has come for a controlled exit. We have done all we can and our presence is exacerbating the situation. The Prime Minister in waiting must recognise that it is time to bring our troops home." He added "The government must hold an inquiry that investigates the decision making that led us into the illegal war in Iraq based on this flawed prospectus."