BLAIR MUST FACE PARLIAMENT OVER IRAQ

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd Jan 2007

Following the news that 75 people have died in a bomb attack in Baghdad, and the death of another British serviceman at the weekend, Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell has reiterated his call for the Prime Minister to speak in Wednesday's Parliamentary debate on Iraq.

In a letter to Tony Blair, Menzies Campbell said:

"This is the first time that there has been a debate on Iraq in government time since 20 July 2004.

"Would it not be appropriate if you yourself were to open that debate on behalf of the government? It is almost four years since you did so on 17 March 2003 and much has changed since then. The most recent UN estimate is that 34,000 Iraqi citizens were killed in 2006 and 130 British servicemen and women have perished since March 2003.

"In these circumstances the British people are entitled to hear your analysis and strategy for withdrawal.

"I consider that on an issue of such gravity the public are entitled to hear the party leaders."

ENDS