The Liberal Democrats today called for the Government to deny America the use of British bases for a unilateral ballistic missile defence system.

The party’s Spring Conference also condemned the way the Government’s decision to allow the US to use RAF Menwith Hill for the system was announced on the last day of a parliamentary session in an attempt to avoid publc scrutiny.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

“Despite Tony Blair’s pledge that there would be a parliamentary debate on the son of star wars system, this crucial decision was smuggled out in a written statement at a time designed to get the minimum possible coverage. Read more »

Responding to today’s news that the Foreign Office has signed the Wellington Declaration, paving the way for a prohibition on the use of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey, said:

“Though any steps to limit the use of cluster munitions must be welcomed, we need a real commitment to banning all so-called ‘smart’ as well as ‘dumb’ cluster munitions. Read more »