Terry Scriven

There is no doubt in my mind and that of many people in the New Forest that Britain has a moral responsibility towards them and it would be a betrayal of that duty of care if they were not better looked after and given appropriate asylum in this country.

What is needed is an immediate inquiry into their situation and that of all the hundreds of other workers who may also have put their own lives and those of their families in danger by working for the British. This of course will need to take in the security of our country to make sure we do not unintentionally allow those may oppose our democracy to enter.

During the pat few years since the ending of the war numerous interpreters have been kidnapped, tortured and killed by Iraqi militiamen who accuse them of collaboration with their country’s enemies and there is no doubt that once the troops have been withdrawn there is every chance they will be further victimised.

Unlike the British, the Danish government did not turn its back on its responsibilities and when it withdraw its contingent from Iraq it flew all sixty of its translators out of the country at the same time. There is rightly fury and indignation from our servicemen and women who have served alongside these people in Iraq in the way this issue is being dealt with.

The difficulties of these interpreters highlight yet again the lack of foresight exercised by the British and American governments before embarking on the invasion of Iraq and the planning the subsequent aftermath. It has destroyed the lives of tens of thousands of people it was supposed to enhance. It has left millions in greater fear and danger than even under the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein.

Regardless of what your views were about the Iraq war I ask you to join the Liberal Democrats of the New Forest and demand a fair hearing for those who have risked their lives in their work for the British government. You can help bring that about by backing our campaign at: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/interpreters