The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Labour Government to grant asylum to Iraqis whose work for the British has put their lives in danger.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary Edward Davey said: "There is a clear moral obligation to provide asylum for those Iraqis, particularly interpreters, whose work has left them extremely vulnerable to torture and murder. We cannot turn our backs on those who are at risk because of the assistance they gave British forces."

Tony Blair decided not to grant asylum to the interpreters. Following a review prompted by public pressure, the Government has announced limited plans to offer asylum. These are woefully inadequate, full of conditions and criteria that will exclude many who need our help, including those who worked for British forces before 2005 or for less than a year.