Cable highlights ongoing Iraq problems at Prime Minister's Questions

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th Dec 2007

Vince Cable

In his last Prime Minister's Questions as acting Liberal Democrat leader, Vince Cable told the Prime Minister that the 'real disaster' for the government was the continuing tragedy in Iraq. Mr Cable asked: "When he was in Basra this week was he told that 40 women, at least, have been executed for personal immorality? And is this why 173 British troops have died? Transferring power from the fascist regime of Saddam Hussein to the terror of the fascist militia who run the streets of Basra."

Mr Cable also put the Prime Minister on the back foot by saying that "given his own position, he might not be wise to speculate about leadership elections" after the Prime Minister suggested that Mr Cable might be back in his role not long after the new Liberal Democrat leader is elected next week.