Anti-war MP supports Bush visit

Mr Salter voted against the war in Parliament

A prominent anti-war Labour backbencher has spoken out in favour of President Bush's state visit to the UK.

Reading West MP Martin Salter told the BBC the visit was a good thing as it would allow people to show how much they disagreed with the US.

President Bush arrives in the country on Tuesday for the four-day visit, expected to be marked by large demonstrations against the war in Iraq.

Some anti-war politicians have said the first state visit by an American President comes at a bad time and should not have gone ahead.

'Deep hostility'

Mr Salter disagreed: "It couldn't come at a better time for many people who opposed the war to show the deep and abiding hostility they've got towards George Bush and his foreign policy.

"It should be remembered that we have a special relationship with the United States.

"A lot of people don't want to have a special relationship with George Bush or a political relationship with George Bush."

Martin Salter was among the backbench MPs who voted against the government over the Iraq war in March.

Mr Bush and his wife Laura will receive a private welcome from the Prince of Wales when they touch down on Tuesday evening.

They will stay at Buckingham Palace, and on Thursday visit Downing Street and Westminster Abbey.

Following these engagements, tens of thousands of protesters are expected to march through the centre of London through Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.