MP STANDS BY COMMENTS

An MP criticised for sympathising with Palestinian suicide bombers is standing by her provocative statement.

Liberal Democrat Dr Jenny Tonge issued a "clarification" of her claim but refused to retract the words.


And she took her statement further: "While we are arguing about suicide bombers and whether we condone or understand them, I think we should say that we don't condone or understand the Israeli illegal occupation of Palestine since 1997.

"We shouldn't understand or condone the settlements and the roads that separate the Palestinians.

"We should not condone or understand the security wall."

During an interview on BBC2's Newsnight on Thursday, Dr Tonge said that while not condoning bombers she could "fully understand where they are coming from".

Earlier, when challenged for remarks on the topic originally made in Parliament, Dr Tonge said: "I do understand why people out there become suicide bombers. It is out of desperation.

"I dare say if I was in their situation with my children and my grandchildren and I saw no hope for the future at all - which I'm not, of course, but if I did - I might just think about it myself."

The MP for Richmond Park immediately found herself isolated by party leader Charles Kennedy.

She is expected to be dressed down by party whips, but plans to stand down as an MP at the next General Election.


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