Lib Dems call for inquiry on Iraq

Thousands of residents and soldiers have been killed in the conflict

The Liberal Democrats have called for an inquiry into the Iraq war, on the fifth anniversary of the conflict.

The party's foreign affairs spokesman, Ed Davey, has called on Gordon Brown and David Cameron to apologise for voting in favour of the invasion.

He said both "shared the blame for this catastrophic foreign policy mistake".

The Conservatives also want an inquiry, but Foreign Secretary David Miliband said this should happen only "after the cessation" of operations in Iraq.

'Horrific cost'

Mr Davey said "the death and destruction wrought by this disastrous war ought to compel even the most diehard supporters of the original decision to revise their position".

"Contrary to the ludicrous claims of victory made by the likes of David Miliband and George Bush, the war has made Iraq a more dangerous place at a horrific cost."

This was true "whether measured in terms of lives, money or our security", he added in a statement.

Charles Kennedy, who was Lib Den leader at the start of the war, said there came a time at which progress should be reviewed, "and five years is as good a point at which to take stock as any".

This was to see if a continuing US and UK military presence in Iraq was actually more of a problem than a "contribution towards the solution", he added.

Costs 'necessary'

But Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4's World at One it was "right that we have our full focus" on the work currently being carried out by UK troops in Iraq.

He added: "The precedent through the 20th Century was for inquiries, when they were set up, to happen after the cessation of conflict or combat, and I think that makes sense."

The Foreign Office has insisted there is "clear evidence" of progress in Iraq.

"We have also acknowledged that mistakes were made, and drawn the appropriate lessons," a spokesman said on Saturday, in response to anti-war demonstrations attended by thousands of people in London and Glasgow.

In a speech to mark the fifth anniversary, US President George W Bush said the conflict had made the world safer.

Overthrowing former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had been "the right decision", he insisted.

The Conservatives have already called for a full privy council inquiry into the war, and have scheduled a Commons debate on the issue next Tuesday.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC it would become "progressively harder to conduct a meaningful inquiry" unless it was held soon.