US/China row ‘could affect NMD’ MP warns

The US president could exploit the US spy plane stand-off in China to justify the contentious Son of Star Wars missile defence shield, a leading British Labour MP warned today.

Veteran Tony Benn said the escalating diplomatic crisis in China could lead to President George W Bush extending the planned missile shield to cover Britain and other allies.

The National Missile Defence (NMD) system is designed to protect against limited attack by shooting an aggressor’s missiles out of the sky.

Speaking during questions on forthcoming parliamentary business, Mr Benn called for a debate on foreign affairs ‘‘in the context of the developing crisis between the US and China in which President Bush may use to justify the nuclear missile defence in which we would be involved through Fylingdales’’.

‘‘I do think that it would be sensible if the House could have a statement by the Foreign Secretary.’’

He also warned that the developing situation in the Balkans held ‘‘clear dangers’’ that could lead to a wider conflict.

The original plan for the NMD system would have protected only the US but would depend on the use of North Yorkshire’s Fylingdales early-warning station.

Critics said this would have put the UK at risk of attack from so-called ‘rogue states’ such as North Korea and Iraq.

Leader of the Commons Margaret Beckett told Mr Benn: ‘‘I understand, of course, the important points you make.

‘‘I can’t undertake to find time in the very near future for a debate although I do recognise the very genuine concerns raised.’’

American diplomats are seeking a second chance to see crew of the Navy EP-3E, which made an emergency landing on a Chinese island after the collision with a Chinese fighter.

The White House has ruled out any apology, and President Bush has said China must return the plane and its crew, otherwise relations could be damaged.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has expressed regret over the loss of the Chinese pilot, who parachuted out of his fighter over the South China Sea.