Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-05981, in the name of Alex Salmond, on 10 years on from the invasion of Iraq.14:22

The First Minister (Alex Salmond) SNP

In discussing the motion, we should reflect that tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. As we consider the lessons and implicat...

Margo MacDonald (Lothian) (Ind) Ind

Although I agree that no Parliament should lend a hand to that, does the First Minister agree that a great number of people whose loyalty was found to be too...

The First Minister SNP

I basically believe that to be case.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab) Lab

Will the First Minister give way?

The First Minister SNP

I will answer Margo MacDonald first and then I will gladly give way to Johann Lamont.I was not in this place; I was in the House of Commons. I know people wh...

Johann Lamont Lab

The First Minister ought not to describe other people’s motives in relation to how they vote in this place. I say for the record that when I voted as I did, ...

The First Minister SNP

I read the debate. I remember that, according to the record, Johann Lamont was first up to advocate the war and question those who were arguing against it. P...

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Will the First Minister give way?

The First Minister SNP

No.We should reflect on the best way to fulfil our obligation, as good international citizens, to participate fully on the world stage—Interruption. I hear t...

Lewis Macdonald Lab

Perhaps the First Minister, in his tone of considered reflection on the events of the past 10 years, will tell us why he believes that an independent Scotlan...

The First Minister SNP

Because, as we know, the Prime Minister of the day distorted the intelligence that he had. We know that intelligence was presented that we were 45 minutes fr...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

I begin by saying what barely needs to be said and pledging our unwavering support for UK personnel—military and peacekeeping—who have served and continue to...

Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Will the member give way?

John Lamont Con

I will give way later, but I want to make some progress.I state at the outset that 10 years on, the situation in Iraq is far from ideal. Violence levels rema...

Jim Eadie (Edinburgh Southern) (SNP) SNP

Will the member give way?

The Presiding Officer NPA

The member is not giving way; resume your seat.

John Lamont Con

For too long, international words of condemnation were unmatched by meaningful international action; for too long, the Iraqi people suffered under the very s...

The First Minister SNP

Will the member give way?

John Lamont Con

I will give way in a minute; let me finish my point. For too long, Kurds in the north and Shias in the south continued to fight a tyrant whom we ourselves sh...

The First Minister SNP

Some of us who have consistently opposed Saddam Hussein’s murderous regime over the years remember that Tory ministers visited him to talk about arms months ...

John Lamont Con

I did not say that. Interruption.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Order.

John Lamont Con

I do not dispute that the situation is far from ideal today, but it is improving and it is better than it was. If it were a choice between Saddam Hussein and...

The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport (Shona Robison) SNP

Will the member give way?

John Lamont Con

I give way to the minister.

Shona Robison SNP

Is the member able to tell us who armed Saddam Hussein to use those weapons against his own people? Would he like to tell us that?

John Lamont Con

I am sure that Saddam Hussein had various sources of weaponry. That does not make it right that those actions were allowed to continue for as long as they we...

Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD) LD

When the sirens whined, we dived to the floor, struggling with our flak jackets and helmets, yet the local politicians carried on as if nothing had happened,...

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab) Lab

Listening to the speeches of John Lamont and Willie Rennie, I was struck by the seriousness with which they have engaged in reflecting after 10 years. I am d...