SHERIDAN HITS BACK AT NEW LABOUR WAR SLURS

Tommy Sheridan, Leader of the Scottish Socialist Party today slammed the lies and distortion of yesterday’s Sunday Mail and sent the letter below to the Editor.
He also wrote to Jack McConnell demanding that he retract the statement he made that the SSP “rejoiced in the bombing of Baghdad … “. The letter was hand-delivered to Bute House today at 12 noon. (Copy below).

Dear Editor

Over the years I have become accustomed to lies, distortions and slander concerning me and my political views. Your paper indulged in distortion itself over my support for the legalisation of cannabis and prescribing of heroin to addicts within NHS facilities.

Your lies and distortions in relation to my views on the current massacre in Iraq are, however, the most offensive and politically motivated to date. I at no time said or suggested that "UK servicemen would be as guilty as the Nazis tried at Nuremberg if they did not put down their arms." That is distortion plain and simple.

I did say the UK troops were receiving "illegal and immoral" orders but repeated and emphasized several times that those giving the orders were the "war criminals", not those following the orders.

The sentences attributed to me regarding "Nuremberg" are fabricated. My only reference to "Nuremberg" was to agree with your journalist who noted that "following orders" was not acceptable according to Nuremberg.

I agreed with him but at no time thereafter referred to UK troops.

I did state that I would respect any soldier who refuses to fight in this unjust, immoral and illegal war. I appeal to professional soldiers to consider whether it is right or in Britain's interests to be involved in George Bush's war for oil and world supremacy. The war criminals, however, are not the troops but the men in suits who are giving the orders. Bush and Blair are war criminals, not ordinary soldiers. Your journalist and your paper have distorted my views in an unprofessional and shameful manner.

From previous experience of the Press Complaints Commission I am requesting that this statement be printed in next Sunday's paper to address the way you have misled your readers about my views. Anyone would think you are a New Labour supporting paper in the midst of supporting their election campaign. Then again, you are!

Yours sincerely
TOMMY SHERIDAN
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Dear Mr McConnell

Re: Defamatory statement in Sunday Mail (30 March 2003)

I note your accusation in the Sunday Mail that “Tommy Sheridan and his party … rejoiced in the bombing of Baghdad because it might win them votes.”

This is a disgusting slur, which crosses the acceptable boundaries of political debate and polemic. The Scottish Socialist Party opposed the bombing of Belgrade in 1999, opposed the bombing of Afghanistan in 2001 and opposes the bombing of Baghdad today.

Neither the Scottish Socialist Party nor I have ever “rejoiced” in the slaughter of innocent civilians by bombers sent to destroy cities by the United States and by the New Labour government in Westminster.

I am requesting that you immediately, by return of post, retract this statement. Otherwise, I intend to take legal action on behalf of the SSP and myself for defamation.

Because of the grave nature of this matter, I am releasing this statement as a public rebuke and a public declaration of intent.

Yours sincerely
TOMMY SHERIDAN MSP
[ends]
For more information, contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 0131 348 5631/07713 063647