Scottish Liberal Democrats, John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today criticised the government for allowing US planes carrying bombs to Israel to refuel at Scottish airports.
Mr Barrett was responding to reports that Scottish airports have been used as a staging post for major shipments of so-called bunker-busting bombs from America to Israel. Defence sources have revealed that two chartered cargo planes filled with GBU 28 laser-guided bombs landed at Prestwick airport for refuelling and crew rests after flying across the Atlantic this weekend.
The airport has also been used by the CIA for rendition flights carrying terrorist suspects. Mr Barrett has toady written to defence Secretary Des Browne to ask whether Edinburgh airport has been used for similar stopovers.
In a statement, John Barrett said:
“It is madness that we are sending humanitarian aid to Lebanon on the one hand while effectively helping supply Israel with the bombs to destroy the country with the other.
“In light of the disproportionate military operations by Israel, the UK should be taking swift action to suspend all arms transfers to Israel, not supplying bases for facilitating their deployment.
“Serious questions must now be asked as to whether the US is being allowed blanket access to UK airports for these flights and rendition flights or whether the UK government approved the use of British airports for American use.
“After the government's deplorable handling of the rendition flights issue, local people have a right to know whether Edinburgh airport is being used for transporting bombs to the Middle East.
“The government now ought to come clean as to what approval they have given at to what repercussions there may be if we continue to allow UK airports for these purposes.
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