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Clare Short canât keep her piehole shut either: blasts No. 10 over Kelly
Former Cabinet minister Clare Short has accused Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence of making weapons expert David Kellyâs life "hell".Not the Beeb huh? Writing in a national newspaper, the former Cabinet minister says an abuse of power drove the weapons expert to suicide. She also criticised Tony Blair for "a lack of respect for proper procedure". "process" is the mantra of someone like Clare The attack is the latest in a series of broadsides from the former International Development Secretary who quit the Cabinet over the Iraq war. Ms Short said: "We have a Prime Minister so focused on presentation that there is inadequate consideration of the merits of policy. Beneath the smiling demeanour, a ruthlessness that is accompanied by a lack of respect for proper procedure, and a willingness to be economical with the actuality." She said Andrew Gilliganâs BBC report that claimed Downing Street "sexed up" the dossier on Iraqâs weapons program was "fundamentally true". She said the conflict between the BBC and No 10 was over presentation, and not to do with policy or national interest. Ms Short said: "Once Dr Kelly came forward and said he had talked to Andrew Gilligan, the power of the state was focused on using Dr Kelly to get Gilligan. Dr Kellyâs wife has described what this did to her husband. "We politicians volunteer for the role, but when the press is after you and No 10 briefing against you, life can be hell. Dr Kelly found the pressure of No 10, the Ministry of Defence, the chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, the threat to his position and job, and `being treated like a flyâ too much to bear. I think most people would break under that strain. To use Dr Kelly in this way - to get at the BBC - was an abuse of power." Ms Short added: "The Prime Minister has told us that the claim that he had knowingly exaggerated the threat from Iraqi chemical and biological weapons would be a resignation issue. It is now clear that the threat was exaggerated. Clear to those not paying attention or smart enuf to understand, Clare? "On top of this, there is the total negligence of failing to prepare for the inevitability of a speedy military victory. Many, many lives have been lost and are being lost in Iraq because of this incompetence." "You shouldâve prepared for a Quagmire!" Posted by: Frank G 2003-09-07 |
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