David Norris (Independent)

I am sure Members around the House will join me in expressing sadness and horror at the bombing in Jerusalem this morning. It is an appalling thing to happen and I feel it particularly because it exploded five minutes from where I lived for many years from time to time. I know the area well. During the recent visit a number of us made, all Palestinian leaders condemned this sort of activity on moral grounds and said it was counterproductive, as it has proved to be in this case. Instantly, the Israeli spokesman, Mr. Raanan Gissin, said the bomb demonstrated that the rest of the world should stand back and let Israel do what it needed to in the interests of its security. I, for one, will not stand back because serious human rights issues are involved. This outrage cannot be used to mask them.

I went through the usual routine in these circumstances of ringing Jerusalem this morning to find out if friends, loved ones and neighbours were fine. They are, thank God. I was told something I did not know. Yesterday, nine Palestinians, most of whom were unarmed civilians, were shot dead in Gaza. We heard nothing about it here. As far as I am concerned, a life is a life and each should be cherished.

It did not come as a surprise to many of us that the BBC has been "Widgeryed" by Lord Hutton. From the wireless this morning, I understand that he was associated with that tainted process. I am astonished. When a list of 25 names is provided, the correspondent is told to guess which one is relevant, he hits gold at No. 25 and the matter is confirmed, what has happened to the policy of neither confirming nor denying in security matters? Dr. Kelly was outed by the British Government and although he said he had nothing to do with it, Mr. Blair chaired the meeting at which the decision was taken. That makes him a confirmed liar in my opinion.