Tonge Demands Bush Visit Be Cancelled

1.05.30pm GMT Tue 28th Oct 2003

Dr Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair asking him to withdraw the invitation to US President George Bush who is due to make a State Visit to the United Kingdom on November 19 2003.

Dr Tonge asked the PM: "I wonder if you have any idea how much fury and disgust is being expressed by people all over the country concerning the visit of George Bush on November 19th?"

He is accused of actions which have endangered our security, enraged the Arab world and damaged the United Nations and the European Union."

His visit will be seen as your Government's endorsement, yet again, of the isolationist and confrontational policies of George Bush."

I beg you to reconsider. "