Lib Dems petition for Tonge's return

Editorial comment by Damon Silk: I was shocked to read the following article driven by Donnachadh McCarthy Liberal Democrat deputy chairman in support of Dr. Tonge, in the light of her unceasing support of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwean regime by refusing to condemn the atrocities and murders conducted by his Zanu PF thugs and his abomination for gay men. Mr McCarthy is a professional gay man, albeit absolutely unsuccessful in securing political office, in our view deservedly so.

Lib Dems petition for Tonge's return

Patrick Wintour
Monday January 26, 2004
The Guardian

Charles Kennedy is facing calls from rank-and-file Liberal Democrats to reverse his decision to sack Jenny Tonge from the party's front bench, after she said that she might be a suicide bomber if she lived in Palestine.

Yesterday the outgoing Liberal Democrat deputy chairman, Donnachadh McCarthy, said that he was mounting a petition for her reinstatement. Although not well known outside the Liberal Democrats, Mr McCarthy carries influence with party activists.

He said yesterday: "The sacking of Jenny Tonge has been greeted with dismay across wide sections of the party. Jenny made a brave attempt to try to bring attention to the fact that if the appalling suicide bombings are to stop, then we need to understand and address the desperation and political alienation that leads to such awful acts of violence.

"The party should take no lessons in condemning violence against innocent civilians from the Tory party, which have been such enthusiastic cheerleaders for the war in Iraq in which tens of thousands of innocent people were maimed and killed."

Speaking on the BBC's Breakfast With Frost, Mr Kennedy was unrepentant, saying: "If you're in an elected position, a position of responsibility, then even to convey the perception that somehow there is an ethical defence to be made of somebody who wants to be a suicide bomber is simply not acceptable ..."

"There can be no formal role for somebody who has given voice to such a view on behalf of a national political party."