Dubious posting belies Blair case for ‘moral’ war

TONY BLAIR’S “moral case for war” is grossly undermined

Fri, 28 Feb, 2003 - 00:00

news that Brigadier Gordon Kerr, the British military intelligence officer facing prosecution for allegedly colluding with loyalist paramilitaries in the murders of Catholics in Ireland, has been sent to the Gulf to head up British spying activities in the Middle East as part of preparations for action in Iraq.

This is the third time Kerr has been promoted since he headed up the Force Research Unit (FRU), an ultra-secret arm of the British Army’s Intelligence Corps.

He has also been rewarded with both an OBE and the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.

The move follows a decision on February 13 by Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to forward papers on Kerr and some 20 other members of the security forces who served in Northern Ireland to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP was due to make a decision on whether or not to seek prosecutions against Kerr and the other security force personnel. The posting places Kerr far beyond the reach of either Scotland Yard or the DPP.

How can Blair claim there is a “moral case for war” when his senior intelligence officer in the Gulf has such a dubious record in Ireland?

Dr Seán Marlow,

90, Willow Park Rd,

Dublin 11.