Senior Blair aide resigns over Iraq war

Aljazeera | April 20, 2005

Tony Blair's election campaign has taken a knock with the resignation of one of his senior aids.

With less than a month before Britain's general election, a senior Labour Party official in Tony Blair's constituency of Sedgefield has quit his position over the war in Iraq saying that he would instead support an independent candidate whose son was killed in the war.  

Derek Cattell, who had been a member of the executive committee of Sedgefield Labour Party for 10 years, said Blair's conduct over Iraq had raised questions about his "integrity,'' and he could not work for him.

Cattell threw his weight behind Reg Keys, father of a British soldier killed in the war and now running against Blair on an anti-war platform.

According to Cattel, "It came down to a question of conscience. While I wish to see a Labour government returned to office, I will not vote or work for the return of Tony Blair in this constituency.

"His honesty and integrity have been questioned by our involvement in the Iraq war. I am not prepared to vote through gritted teeth."

Opposition to going to war in support of U.S. president George Bush was widespread in Britain and Blair's personal trust ratings have taken a severe knock.

"If people make a connection between Tony Blair's actions over Iraq and the whole question of trust, honesty and integrity, they may well cast their vote for Reg Keys," Cattell said.

Several senior Labour politicians, including former government ministers Robin Cook and Clare Short, have handed in their resignation due to Britain's involvement in Iraq.

Top Blair Aide quits for Anti-War Campaign

London Daily Record | April 18, 2005
By Vivienne Morgan

A LEADING figure in Tony Blair's constituency party will today quit Labour to support an anti-war candidate.

Derek Cattell, a member of the executive committee in Sedgefield for 10 years, says the Iraq war raises questions about the 'honesty and integrity' of Blair's leadership.

He will back independent Reg Keys, who has accused the PM of misleading MPs over the reasons for attacking Saddam Hussein.

His son, Lance Corporal Tom Keys, 20, was one of six Red Caps killed by an Iraqi mob after they took refuge in a small police station in Al Majar Al Kabir in 2003.

Keys has admitted he has a 'political mountain to climb' in overturning the Blair's 17,713 majorityCattell, of Windlestone, Co Durham, will resign his Labour membership after 30 years today.

He will say: 'I have become increasingly concerned by a growing number of issues with Blair's leadership - none more so than the decision to go to war with Iraq.

'This decision has raised many questions regarding the honesty and integrity of his leadership.'

He says he will sign Keys's nomination adding: 'Keys is the only candidate who can defeat Blair and is well placed to do so.'

Keys's election agent Bob Clay, a former Labour MP, said: 'Derek's resignation is indicative of a great deal of disquiet in the Sedgefield Labour Party which will be reflected among Labour voters.'

He called on the Tories and Lib Dems to step aside to give Keys a clear run against Blair. Former M15 officer David Shayler yesterday ended his bid for the seat and backed Keys.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he hoped British troops could be withdrawn from Iraq within two years.

He said: 'We are already rebuilding the Iraqi security forces. They have taken over security in many regions of the country.

'When the Iraqi government says to us, 'We want you to go,' we will go and I think it will be some time in the next two years

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