Woolas in call to Lib Dem leader

OLDHAM MP Phil Woolas has asked the Liberal Democrats to clarify their policy on arms sales to the Middle East.

The MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth has written to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg after a letter was sent out in Shaw by Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Elwyn Watkins, who will fight for Mr Woolas’s seat in this year’s General Election.

The letter highlights work done by the Lib Dem controlled Oldham Council as well as recent campaigns by Mr Watkins.

The letter goes on to say that Mr Watkins has condemned Israel’s disproportionate use of force and calls for an end to sales of arms to Israel in a bid to end conflict around the world.

The letter from Mr Watkins follows the sacking of Baroness Jenny Tonge, the Lib Dem health spokeswoman in the House of Lords, following comments she made about alleged organ trafficking in Haiti.

Baroness Tonge told the Jewish Chronicle there should be an inquiry into claims that Israeli troops sent there after the earthquake were trafficking organs.

Nick Clegg sacked Baroness Tonge after saying her comments were “wrong, distasteful and provocative”.

In his letter to Mr Clegg, Mr Woolas asks whether calls for a ban on arms sales to Israel are now national Lib Dem policy.

He goes on to say: “Whilst I am sure we all agree there have been terrible atrocities in the Middle East conflict on all sides is it really your policy that any ban on arms sales should only apply to one Middle East country, namely Israel?”