Confused Prime Minister contradicts Iraq statement

3.06.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Oct 2007

Clearly weary and reeling from his general election u-turn, Gordon Brown contradicted himself when answering a question from Liberal Democrat MP for Dunfermline and West Fife Willie Rennie following the PM's statement on Iraq today. Having already been attacked by fellow Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell for the 'catastrophic' Iraq mission, the Prime Minister claimed that the situation in Basra was calm before the troops pulled out, having previously claimed that the situation was only calm after the troops pulled out.

Having assumed office pledging to be 'Not Flash, Just Gordon', this would appear to be evidence of the old Blair-era style 'spin' returning.

Mr Rennie said:

"The contradictory statements from the Prime Minister today are extremely worrying. To claim that the situation was calm before the pullout, only to then claim the situation was calmer after the pullout muddies the waters on what is an extremely important issue.

"I have been to Iraq recently with the Defence Select Committee and have seen first-hand the situation on the ground. I want to see the Prime Minister stop playing politics with our troops and announce a complete withdrawal within six months."