Clegg: Iraq disaster will cast long shadow over Afghan mission

2.34.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Apr 2009

Reacting to the end of British combat operations in Iraq, and the handover of control in Basra to US forces, Nick Clegg said, "We must never forget the enormous sacrifices that our troops made in this conflict."

Nick went on to say, "their bravery and professionalism have been matched only by the incompetence of their political masters."

However the Liberal Democrat Leader went on to criticise the policy which lead to war, "today marks the end of a dark chapter in British foreign policy. The decision to go to war on a false pretext was the most disastrous foreign policy decision since Suez."

Concluding Mr Clegg said, "The winding down of operations in Iraq should hopefully bring some relief to our overstretched Armed Forces. But the terrible toll taken by this ill-judged conflict will continue to cast a long shadow over our ability to carry out the mission in Afghanistan."

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