Local Euro MP sends message of support to Hull Stop the War march

12.00.00am GMT Fri 7th Mar 2003

Diana Wallis, Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire & the Humber, has sent a message of support which is to be read out at Saturday's 'Stop the War' march and rally in Hull.

In the message, Diana Wallis who has consistently opposed unconditional military action says:

"I am sorry that I cannot march with you today but my thoughts are very much with you. The reports produced by both Dr El Baradei and Dr Blix on Friday clearly do not provide a basis for going to war - in fact very much the reverse.

"Their reports state that there has been a substantial measure of disarmament and that the inspection effort is yielding results. Iraq may not have co-operated as quickly as desired but it is clear that there is still mileage in the programme of inspections. War based upon the contents of these reports is not justified."

"Liberal Democrats have consistently said that any military action in Iraq should be on four conditions:

1. as absolutely a last resort

2. based on the reports of the weapons inspectors

3. taken with a mandate from the UN Security Council,

4. subject to a substantive vote in the House of Commons on whether British troops should be committed to any such action.

"Now is the time for there to be an intensification of inspections to really make disarmament happen by peaceful means. My best wishes to you all."