Campbell urges Blair to listen to UN

11.34.35am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st Jul 2006

Commenting on the UN Secretary General's statement, Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell said "The Secretary General is absolutely right. His remarks represent the collective view of most of the international community and particularly our European allies. "

Sir Menzies said of the Prime Minister and the British Government "The Prime Minister's uncritical acceptance of the Bush administration is not only wrong but deeply damaging to Britain's international reputation. The British Government has no excuse. In the House of Commons both myself and others have repeatedly asked for the Prime Minister to support an even handed response. We all accept that Hezbollah should be condemned. Tony Blair must now accept that Israel's actions are disproportionate and amount to collective punishment. There should be an immediate ceasefire, as Kofi Annan has now confirmed."