Divide over weapons debate

The Prime Minister praised troops last week in Oman

Relatives of Scottish soldiers have been speaking out about calls for a public inquiry into the prime minister's claims about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.

Tony Blair said he stands 100% behind the intelligence he used as evidence to prove that the Iraqi regime possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and they posed a clear and present danger to his enemies.

Mr Blair has received support from some relatives who spoke to BBC Scotland, while others said they were sceptical.

George Ross, from Lasswade near Edinburgh, was a sergeant major with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers in the first Gulf War.

His son is now serving with the same regiment and is still based in Iraq.

Mr Ross said the weapons will be found eventually.

They have ended what appears to be a reign of tyranny and brought democracy to a country that really needed it

George Ross

He said: "I think the forces have done a magnificent, professional job.

"They have ended what appears to be a reign of tyranny and brought democracy to a country that really needed it.

"People have got to realise that it will take time to find these weapons of mass destruction."

Support group

Agnes Hunter, who lives in Ayr, is the mother of a teenage soldier who served in Iraq with 16 Air Assault Brigade.

She set up a Gulf family support group on the internet which attracted attention from all over Britain and America.

She believes the government made the right decision to go to war - whether or not weapons are ever found.

She said: "Somebody had to bite the bullet, somebody had to do something.

"Tony Blair says if we wait, the evidence will come to light, and whether that is unjustifiable or not, I have to say on a humanitarian basis I cannot disagree entirely with what happened."

Gwen Fleming, from the village of Conon Bridge in Dingwall, disagree.

I just feel we went through all that worry and what for? It seems pointless

Gwen Fleming

Three members of her family served in Iraq - her son, her brother and her future son-in-law.

A fourth man from the village, a friend of the Fleming family, was also in Iraq.

Mrs Fleming said: "I just feel we went through all that worry and what for? We never found any weapons, and where's Saddam?"

"Now I think it was pointless. The loss of life... it was just all pointless. It was a nightmare when they were all out there.

A Scottish father, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he was proud of what his son and the British troops acheived in Iraq.

But he said the lack of WMD makes the war unjustifiable.

He said: "The people who lost loved ones must be going through a terrible time.

"And some papers are saying these weapons will never be found. So did these soldiers die or get injured needlessly? It does make you think."