INDEPENDENCE supporters, peace campaigners, trade unionists and academics have condemned Nicola Sturgeon for “uncritically” promoting a key player in the Iraq War.
In a letter in today’s Herald, the group says it is “regrettable” that the First Minister posed for a selfie with Tony Blair’s former spin-doctor Alastair Campbell at the weekend.
The 40 signatories include veteran anti-war campaigner Tariq Ali, Scottish CND chair Arthur West, SNP Socialists co-founder Rory Steel, and Gail Lythgoe, ex-wife of SNP Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, who worked for the Yes Scotland campaign.
It adds to criticism started by independence supporter Jonathon Shafi, who said he would never vote for the SNP again while Ms Sturgeon was leader because of the incident.
READ MORE: Independence activist promises 'never' to vote SNP again over Sturgeon picture
Mr Campbell was pivotal in helping Mr Blair make the public case for the 2003 war on the basis that then Iraqi president Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
After the invasion, in which the UK backed the US, this proved to be false.
Ms Sturgeon’s predecessor, Alex Salmond, said Mr Blair should be impeached and held to account under international law for promoting the war while Labour Prime Minister.
However at Saturday’s march in London for a People’s Vote, Ms Sturgeon posed for a picture with Mr Campbell, who later posted it on his Instagram account.
Mr Shafi, who founded the left-wing Rise party, but voted SNP at the last two general elections, tweeted in reply: “I’m done. I’m f***ing done.”
In their letter, the signatories say Mr Campbell and others involved in the Iraq War are trying to re-invent themselves to avoid being publicly liable for their actions.
They write: “Nicola Sturgeon is widely seen as a politician with soaring credibility.
“As First Minister of Scotland, there is a duty to ensure that engagements with those responsible for Iraq are conducted in a manner that holds them to account.
“We commend Nicola Sturgeon’s long-standing opposition to the Iraq war. But this also aids Campbell - who should be facing ongoing public scrutiny from anti-war advocates - rather than being accepted and promoted uncritically, as Saturday’s Instagram picture denotes.
“This is not a small question. Iraq has been a running sore in the politics of this country. It is a large part of the reason why we have got to the place we are now. And it is regrettable that this should be apparently forgotten, just 16 years on.”
Suki Sangha, of the STUC General Council, said: “The strength of feeling about the Iraq war should not be underestimated. For many, including me, it was a route into becoming a political activist. Indeed, it was a major reason why I campaigned for independence.
“Those at the centre of the drive to war, must be held accountable. Sixteen years on, and we still have not seen justice. It is not just about one photo. It’s about how it will be utilised by one of the best spin doctors in the business. Representatives of the independence movement should give the key architects of the war on Iraq a wide berth.”
Ms Sturgeon’s spokesperson said: “The First Minister’s strong opposition to the war in Iraq, before, during and after the conflict, could not be clearer and is utterly beyond reproach.”
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