Dundee LibDems condemn "bomb flights" (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee LibDems condemn "bomb flights"

July 28, 2006 7:03 AM

Michael Charlton, Dundee Liberal Democrat local party secretary today (Friday 28th July) condemned the Labour Government for allowing US planes carrying bombs to Israel to refuel at Scottish airports.

Mr Charlton said, "It is disgraceful that Scotland has been used as a staging post for major shipments of so-called bunker-busting bombs from the United States to Israel. Blair is simply Bush's puppet and Labour is allowing the UK to become an American aircraft hanger."

Defence sources have revealed that two chartered cargo planes filled with GBU 28 laser-guided bombs landed at Prestwick airport for refuelling and crew rests after flying across the Atlantic this weekend.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MP John Barrett has written to Defence Secretary Des Browne MP to ask whether Edinburgh Airport has been used for similar stopovers.

Mr Barrett said, "It is madness that we are sending humanitarian aid to Lebanon on the one hand while effectively helping supply Israel with the bombs to destroy the country with the other.

"In light of the disproportionate military operations by Israel, the UK should be taking swift action to suspend all arms transfers to Israel, not supplying bases for facilitating their deployment.

"Serious questions must now be asked as to whether the US is being allowed blanket access to UK airports for these flights and rendition flights or whether the UK government approved the use of British airports for American use."