Campbell rebukes senior colleagues for 'crude anti-Americanism' in Iraq debate

Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, delivered a pointed rebuke yesterday to senior party figures for indulging in "crude anti-Americanism".

His attack came as the party unanimously backed a motion supporting military action in Iraq only as "a last resort" and registering fears over the consequences for the Middle East peace process of attacks on Baghdad. It said the dossier published by the Government did not contain "evidence of immediate threat" by Saddam Hussein's regime.

Opening an emergency debate on Iraq, Mr Campbell revealed his frustration over the frequent anti-American language used during the Brighton conference.

He said: "Let me begin with what may seem like a reproof. We must not allow our legitimate questions about the foreign policy of the US administration to find expression in crude anti-Americanism.

"This is not the time for children of the Sixties, like myself, to get out our Bob Dylan records and replay the old anti-Vietnam War slogans."

After his speech Mr Campbell said: "There have been one or two expressions this week of a more anti-American bias than is consistent with the Liberal Democrats' traditional support for the Europe/America relationship and for Nato.

"I'm anxious to conduct this debate on its merits and we do not allow ourselves to fall into sloganising."

His targets appeared to include Malcolm Bruce, the environment spokesman, who denounced President George Bush earlier this week for his "high-volume rhetoric to justify war against Iraq" and America's "arrogant defiance" over the Kyoto Treaty on global warming.

Mr Campbell told delegates: "If there is to be military action, it must be a last resort when all other avenues have been exhausted. It must be consistent with international law. It must be authorised by the UN and endorsed by the House of Commons."

He also reiterated the party's opposition to Washington's determination to topple President Saddam. He said: "I know of no principle of international law which authorises regime change by means of military force."

Qassim Afzal, from Manchester, said the crisis had left British Muslims feeling "demonised and victimised". It was driving "a wedge between friends and a dagger between communities".

Gareth Epps, from Witney in Oxfordshire, said President Saddam was a monster created by the West's "greed for oil 20 years ago". It had supplied him with the chemical weapons he used to such deadly effect.

Susan Kramer, the former Liberal Democrat candidate for London Mayor, said: "Let's test the good faith of Saddam Hussein and let's have a new UN resolution and start the Middle East peace process."

Earlier yesterday, Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, expressed concern that there was "no killer fact" in the Downing Street dossier on Iraq. He described it as "more a confirmation of what we already knew: this is a very dangerous man and a very unstable situation and the issue has got to be addressed".