MPs want John Scarlett sacked
Labour backbenchers have tabled a parliamentary motion calling for the
removal of John Scarlett as head of the Secret Intelligence Service.
Mr Scarlett's appointment by Prime Minister Tony Blair to the top job in MI6
on May 6 sparked controversy because he was expected to come under close
scrutiny in Lord Butler's inquiry into intelligence failings in the run-up
to war in Iraq.
In his previous role as chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, Mr
Scarlett was responsible for signing off the notorious September 2002
dossier which wrongly alleged that Saddam Hussein was capable of deploying
weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes.
Speculation is rife that he will face criticism when Lord Butler publishes
his report.
Labour left-wingers Jeremy Corbyn and Alice Mahon yesterday tabled an
early-day motion - highlighted in the Independent newspaper - calling for Mr
Scarlett to be removed from his post.
Mr Corbyn later told PA News: "Since the inquiry is going on into the
effectiveness or otherwise of the intelligence service and he is part of the
subject-matter of the inquiry, it seems very strange that he should be
promoted in the middle of the inquiry."
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