UK politician quits over Blair's Middle East policy

LONDON - A junior member of the British government resigned today in protest at Prime Minister Tony Blair's policies in the Middle East.

Jim Sheridan said he was standing down as parliamentary private secretary to the government's defence team in anger at the decision to allow US planes carrying munitions to Israel to refuel in Scotland.

The post is governmental but is below that of a minister.

Sheridan said he was dismayed Blair had aped the stance of US President George W Bush since the war between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas erupted four weeks ago.

"There's been little if any public evidence that the Americans are serious about an early end to this conflict (and) I think we are guilty by association," he told Sky TV news.

"It's on that basis that I can no longer support the government's close relationship with America."

The member of parliament for Paisley and Renfrewshire North said that while he supported Blair's domestic policies, "I cannot say that about our foreign policy".

"I'm somewhat concerned about the Americans' objectives for the Middle East," he said. "I shudder to think what President Bush would be like if Tony Blair were not there offering his support and advice."

Sheridan said he was angered by the government's decision to allow US aircraft carrying munitions to Israel to refuel at Prestwick airport near Glasgow.

The US flights came to light on July 26 when Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the government would make a formal complaint to Washington over the way it used Prestwick for ferrying bombs to Israel.

Beckett said it appeared the Americans had not followed correct procedures. The Americans at first denied this but Bush later apologised to Blair.

Since then, at least two more US planes carrying unspecified "dangerous goods" to Israel have refuelled in Britain with official permission.

Sheridan is the first member of Blair's government to resign since the conflict began. Many members of Blair's Labour party have urged the prime minister to recall parliament to debate the conflict and Britain's policy on it.

- REUTERS