Blair Does Not Know How Many British Killed in Iraq
Speaking on the programme UK Leaders Live (1 May 2005) Tony Blair demonstrated that he did not know exactly how many British forces personnel have been killed in Iraq.
'You have the figures' he said to the questioner, then added, 'between 70 and 80.' When asked why he had not met the families of those killed he implied that he had.
'85 forces personnel have been killed in Iraq' said Reg Keys, 'plus two suicides. Which of those young people has Blair forgotten about? Has he forgotten Tom Keys, my own son? Has he forgotten Gordon Gentle, Simon Murray, Russell Aston, whose parents have stood beside me in my campaign to bring justice through the ballot box?
'Don't worry Mr Blair - you may have forgotten these names, but we, their families, have not. And we have not forgotten your name, and nor will we ever forget the unique role you played in causing their deaths.
'I am horrified that you do not know the exact number of those British troops killed on your orders. I once wrote to you and asked how you could sleep at nights. Now we know - it's because you don't think about those who paid with their lives for your illegal invasion of Iraq. You don't even know how many of them there are.
'And to go on air without bothering to find out, at a time when your credibility, integrity and respect for the law is under unprecedented international scrutiny, is absolutely staggering.
'You do not have the courage to meet the families of the dead. You imply you have met them which you have not, except briefly, together, after the memorial service in 2002, when you were extremely uncomfortable and ill-at-ease. One day you will have to meet us, in person or in court, and till that time, I trust that you will often meet the nameless and uncounted dead in your dreams, as we, their parents, do.'
- ©Reg Keys, 2005 -
