Deaths in Iraq a war crime, says Hawking

WORLD-RESPECTED scientist Stephen Hawking said yesterday the deaths of more than 100,000 people in Iraq was a war crime.

Prof Hawking made his criticism as he attended a special event in London to remember those who have lost their lives since the war last year.

In a rare sortie into political comment, Prof Hawking told the crowd in Trafalgar Square: “The war was based on two lies. The first was we were in danger of weapons of mass destruction and the second was that Iraq was somehow to blame for September 11.

“It has been a tragedy for all the families that have lost members.

“As many as 100,000 people have died, half of them women and children. If that’s not a war crime, what is?”

Prof Hawking was among a number of famous names and politicians to read a list of names of those who have lost their lives in Iraq.

The event coincided with similar readings in 28 cities around the world.

The event was also specifically set up for today as Americans went to the ballot boxes to decide their next president.

Prof Hawking had originally recorded a message to be broadcast at the event but later decided he wanted to appear in person because he felt so strongly about the conflict.

The eminent scientist, author of the best-selling book A Brief History of Time, is wheelchair bound as a sufferer of motor neurone disease.

He was joined at yesterday’s event, organised by CND and Stop The War Coalition, by London mayor Ken Livingston, boxer Chris Eubank, playwright Harold Pinter and actress Juliette Stevenson.