The SNP's Depute leader Ms Nicola Sturgeon MSP today condemned Labour's Wendy Alexander for her continued view that the Iraq War is not a "real issue" for the people of Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon said: "It's outrageous that Wendy Alexander considers the Iraq War not to be a real issue. Labour continue to peddle this preposterous notion that the conflict isn't important to the people of Scotland.

"Many service personnel have died in this illegal and immoral war that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians, and palpably made the world a more dangerous place.
 

"Wendy Alexander's insistence on not mentioning the war on its fifth anniversary is bizarre, and she should apologise for supporting the UK Government's decision to send in the troops on misleading information.

"She voted for the war in the Scottish Parliament and continues to support it, despite the overwhelming number of Scots opposing it – even the majority of Labour voters are opposed to the conflict.

"Ms Alexander is so out of touch with public opinion that it is no wonder her poll rating is at an all time low of minus 22.

"It's ludicrous to attack the Scottish Government on our record when we have done much more in ten months than Labour managed in eight years.

"The Scottish Government has abolished prescription charges, frozen the council tax, scrapped bridge tolls, massively reduced small business rates, saved accident and emergency hospital services, reintroduced free education and reached a historic agreement with local authorities to reduce class sizes.

"We are introducing legislation to improve the lives of Scots on a whole range of areas, while Labour continue with their negative carping on the sidelines.

"That's why the SNP are ten points clear of Labour in the polls."