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HUGH ROBERTSON URGES TONY BLAIR TO MAKE CLEAR TO KOFI ANAN BRITAIN'S DISGUST OVER LINKS BETWEEN CORRUPTION AT UN AND DEATHS OF BRITISH SERVICEMEN

The Prime Minister must confront Kofi Annan today over the money corrupted from the UN during the oil for food scandal that is now being used to fund the insurgency facing British Troops, says Faversham and Kent MP Hugh Robertson.The UN Secretary General is in London today for talks with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.

The call comes as a direct result of confirmation by the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, that there is a link. During his statement to the Commons yesterday, in response to a question from Hugh Robertson he replied (Hansard column 642)

‘There is no doubt that many of these people (insurgents) benefited significantly (from money corrupted from the UN) and are using it to buy weapons to kill not only members of the coalition but Iraqis.’

Hugh Robertson said: “Geoff Hoon has confirmed what has long been evident and documented in both the Volker Inquiry and the report of the Iraq Survey Group – namely that money corrupted from the UN during the oil for food scandal is now being used to fund the insurgency facing British Troops.

“Bearing in mind that all this happened on Kofi Annan’s watch, whilst the Security Council were drawing fees for administering the programme and when members of his own family have been implicated in the scandal, it would be a disgrace if either The Prime Minister or The Foreign Secretary did not raise the issue with him and make clear our deep concern.

“The British Servicemen, and Iraqi civilians, who have died deserve no less.”