Saddam trial verdict 'timed to boost Bush'

Published on Friday 10 November 2006 11:32

FORMER Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind has accused the United States government of delaying the verdict in Saddam Hussein's trial to boost President Bush's Republicans in the mid-term polls.

The ex-Edinburgh Pentlands MP said he had no hard evidence but felt that the timing of the verdict just before voters took their decision was "deeply suspect."

The former Iraqi president was sentenced to death by hanging this week after being found guilty of crimes against humanity.

Speaking on BBC1's Question Time, Sir Malcolm said he feared the decision had been taken some weeks ago and the announcement held back until the eve of the elections in which the Republicans lost heavily to the Democrats in the Senate and Congress.

The White House has dismissed the accusation as "preposterous" and said Iraqi judges determined the timings of the verdict and the announcement.

A Downing Street spokeswoman refused to comment on Sir Malcolm's suspicions saying: "The Iraq judicial system is a matter for the Iraqis."