Posted on 01/23/2004 5:40:26 AM PST by tjwmason
Fury over MP's sympathy for suicide bombers By Andrew Sparrow, Political Correspondent (Filed: 23/01/2004)
An MP caused outrage last night by saying she would consider becoming a suicide bomber if forced to live like Palestinians.
Pro-Israel politicians were incensed by Liberal Democrat Jenny Tonge's remarks.
A party spokesman said that Dr Tonge, the MP for Richmond Park, was not speaking on behalf of the party when she made her comments on television.
Andrew Stunell, the party's chief whip, was making arrangements last night to speak to her so that he could demand an explanation in person. Dr Tonge, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on children's issues, made her comments in support of pro-Palestinian campaigners attending a lobby in Parliament.
She referred to suicide bombers and said: "If I was in their situation, I might just think about it myself."
Michael Ancram, the Tory foreign affairs spokesman, said: "These comments will sicken those across the world who have lost loved ones to suicide bombers."
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