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Saddam hanging deplorable - Brown Saddam hanging deplorable - Brown
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has condemned as "deplorable" the way in which Saddam Hussein's execution was conducted.Gordon Brown has condemned as "deplorable" the way in which Saddam Hussein's execution was conducted.
The chancellor told BBC One's Sunday AM the manner of the former Iraqi leader's hanging was "completely unacceptable".The chancellor told BBC One's Sunday AM the manner of the former Iraqi leader's hanging was "completely unacceptable".
Mr Brown, whose comments come after mobile phone footage of the hanging showed Saddam Hussein being taunted, said he was against the death penalty.Mr Brown, whose comments come after mobile phone footage of the hanging showed Saddam Hussein being taunted, said he was against the death penalty.
Deputy PM John Prescott has already condemned the scenes as deplorable, but Tony Blair has yet to comment.Deputy PM John Prescott has already condemned the scenes as deplorable, but Tony Blair has yet to comment.
Even those people unlike me who are in favour of capital punishment found this completely unacceptable Gordon Brown UN urges stay of executions Even those people unlike me who are in favour of capital punishment found this completely unacceptable Gordon Brown UN urges stay of executions
Mr Brown said: "Now that we know the full picture of what happened, we can sum this up as a deplorable set of events.Mr Brown said: "Now that we know the full picture of what happened, we can sum this up as a deplorable set of events.
"It is something, of course, which the Iraqi government has now expressed its anxiety and shame at."It is something, of course, which the Iraqi government has now expressed its anxiety and shame at.
"It has done nothing to lessen tensions between the Shia and Sunni communities.""It has done nothing to lessen tensions between the Shia and Sunni communities."
He added: "Even those people unlike me who are in favour of capital punishment found this completely unacceptable and I am pleased that there is now an inquiry into this and I hope lessons in this area will be learnt, as we learn other lessons about Iraq."He added: "Even those people unlike me who are in favour of capital punishment found this completely unacceptable and I am pleased that there is now an inquiry into this and I hope lessons in this area will be learnt, as we learn other lessons about Iraq."
Shia slogansShia slogans
Last week Mr Prescott, in charge of the country while the prime minister was on holiday, also described the filming of the execution as "deplorable".Last week Mr Prescott, in charge of the country while the prime minister was on holiday, also described the filming of the execution as "deplorable".
Mr Blair has said he will speak about the 30 December execution next week, although Downing Street said the PM supported an Iraqi investigation into the hanging.Mr Blair has said he will speak about the 30 December execution next week, although Downing Street said the PM supported an Iraqi investigation into the hanging.
BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Brown's "strong words" will create problems for the prime minister when he comes to speak on the issue.BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Brown's "strong words" will create problems for the prime minister when he comes to speak on the issue.
She said the chancellor's comment "not only preempts Tony Blair but also sort of boxes him into a corner". She said the chancellor's comment "not only pre-empts Tony Blair but also sort of boxes him into a corner".
The PM's silence has already prompted the Liberal Democrats to question his leadership, she said. The prime minister's silence has already prompted the Liberal Democrats to question his leadership, she said.
"He is in a very difficult position now and Gordon Brown has made it much harder by coming out like this," our correspondent said."He is in a very difficult position now and Gordon Brown has made it much harder by coming out like this," our correspondent said.
Education Secretary and deputy leadership candidate Alan Johnson told the Observer he also had concerns about the way the execution was carried out.Education Secretary and deputy leadership candidate Alan Johnson told the Observer he also had concerns about the way the execution was carried out.
"I agree with John Prescott's remarks about the way it was handled and I am an opponent of the death penalty."I agree with John Prescott's remarks about the way it was handled and I am an opponent of the death penalty.
"But it was a matter for the Iraqi people to make that judgment."But it was a matter for the Iraqi people to make that judgment.
"What happened at the end shouldn't detract from the terrible crimes that Saddam committed.""What happened at the end shouldn't detract from the terrible crimes that Saddam committed."
Initial Iraqi government film showed Saddam being executed in a relatively dignified manner, however mobile phone footage emerged showing Saddam - a Sunni - being taunted with Shia slogans.Initial Iraqi government film showed Saddam being executed in a relatively dignified manner, however mobile phone footage emerged showing Saddam - a Sunni - being taunted with Shia slogans.
Following Mr Brown's remarks, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The prime minister's continuing silence is deafening.Following Mr Brown's remarks, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The prime minister's continuing silence is deafening.
"His unwillingness to condemn the shameful scenes surrounding Saddam Hussein's execution does him no credit.""His unwillingness to condemn the shameful scenes surrounding Saddam Hussein's execution does him no credit."
The full interview with Gordon Brown will be shown on Sunday AM on BBC One at 0900 GMT on Sunday 7 January.The full interview with Gordon Brown will be shown on Sunday AM on BBC One at 0900 GMT on Sunday 7 January.