LIBERAL DEMOCRAT RENDITION HYPOCRISY
Posted on Tuesday, January 31 2006
PARTY ACCUSED OF "HEAR EVIL, SEE EVIL BUT DO NOTHING POLICY"
Liberal Democrats are today (Tuesday) being accused of hypocrisy for their inaction in the Scottish Executive on "rendition flights", despite calling for inquiries at Westminster. The SNP's defence spokesman, Angus Robertson MP, says the junior coalition party is pursuing a "hear evil, see evil but do nothing policy".
Scores of alleged controversial intelligence flights have passed through Scottish airports, including Inverness and Wick which come directly under the control of Liberal Transport Minister Tavish Scott, but despite holding this position, the Liberals have done nothing in Scotland.
SNP Foreign Affairs spokesman Angus Robertson MP has written to acting Liberal leader Menzies Campbell MP asking why it is that where the Liberal Democrats are not in power they call for action, but where they have responsibilities to act they do nothing.
The letter comes only days after a public meeting in Inverness attended by Mr Robertson and local Liberal MP Danny Alexander, who said that there was a "very good case" for the Scottish Executive to order an inquiry.
Speaking at Westminster, Angus Robertson MP said:
"There is serious concern across the political spectrum about US rendition flights, which may be carrying prisoners illegally or refuelling in this country.
"However, it is galling to listen to the high moral tone of the Liberals about the need for full disclosure and investigations, when their own government ministers in Scotland are doing nothing about it.
"Despite the criminal justice system and many transport matters being devolved, the Liberals are pursuing a "hear evil, see evil, but do nothing policy"."
ENDS
Note for Editors
The letter to the acting Liberal leader from Angus Robertson MP reads as follows:
Dear Menzies,
I recently published a report detailing nearly 50 alleged intelligence flights through Scottish airports. These include aircraft known to fly regularly to Guantanamo bay.
There are also reports of suspicious flights operating through Inverness and Wick airports. This allegation was repeated by your parliamentary colleague Danny Alexander MP at a public meeting that we both attended in Inverness on Saturday.
It is absolutely right and proper that the UK government should order a full and public inquiry on this matter. This is a point of agreement between the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats.
However, it is noticeable that where the Liberal Democrats are in government in Scotland, the Scottish Executive has been decidedly inactive on this subject. This is despite the criminal justice system and many transport matters being devolved.
When I raised this matter at the Inverness meeting Mr Alexander said there was a "very good case" for the Scottish Executive to order an inquiry, not least as Inverness and Wick airports are the direct responsibility of Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Tavish Scott.
Why is it that where the Liberal Democrats are not in power they call for action, but where they have responsibilities to act they do nothing?
Yours aye,
Angus Robertson MP
ENDS
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