The alleged evidence to justify any British involvement in American pre-emptive action against Iraq is due to be produced in Parliament by Mr Blair today.

I have just returned from Germany, where even right wing newspapers regard the evidence as inadequate. As a former intelligence officer, I agree with them.

People old enough can remind themselves that the Vietnam War was started by the Americans, who reported that their Sixth Fleet in the Gulf of Tonking was about to be attacked by North Vietnamese motor torpedo boats. President Johnson acted without consulting Congress, Hanoi was bombed, and millions of lives were lost, but the Americans eventually had to get out, despite all their technical superiority. The motor torpedo boat story proved to be a fake.

Harold Wilson helped to keep us out of that crazy war, and as leader of a Labour Government, Blair should also be doing so now.

Pre-emptive action would be against the statutes of the United Nations. To disregard them is hubris, and will eventually end in disaster for many people.

DONALD SHIRREFF

Lower Wanborough

Swindon