Lions led by Donkeys - Tonge

12.00.00am GMT Wed 15th Jan 2003

Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State Blasts Hoon's "Star Wars" Decision.

Following the government's announcement that it had agreed to the USA's request to update the radar station at RAF Fylingdales for the "Son of Star Wars" missile defence of system.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, Dr Jenny Tonge MP, said"The Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon is guilty of stupidity in his refusal to recognise that developing "Star Wars" will destroy the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty."

"National Missile Defence will only provoke the UK and USA's enemies to update their weapons systems."

"Surely we run the risk of developing a false sense of security, particularly given how powerless "Son of Star Wars" will be against acts of terrorism like September 11th.

"The government, and in particular the Secretary of State's failure to grasp these arguments when pointed out by several MPs today, leads me to conclude that the British lion is being led by donkeys."