Campbell challenges Brown to end dysfunctional relationship with Bush

6.01.08pm GMT Wed 16th May 2007

Ahead of Tony Blair's last visit to Washington as Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell said that the uncritical relationship between the Prime Minister and President had resulted in untold damage to our reputation at home and abroad.

Menzies Campbell said Tony Blair's slavish support of President Bush had undermined the special relationship. He also called on Gordon Brown to:

· Set a target for withdrawal of British troops from Iraq

· Accept British residents back from Guantanamo and call for its closure

· Renegotiate the Extradition Treaty between the US and the UK

· Urge the United States to sign up to the Kyoto protocol and to support the International Criminal Court

Menzies Campbell said:

"While Tony Blair and George Bush say their last goodbyes and exchange warm tributes the British public are right to think that their relationship has resulted in untold damage to our reputation at home and abroad.

"A new Prime Minister Brown must make clear his commitment to ending a slavish relationship which gave the impression that British foreign policy was set in the United States.

"Mr Brown must be a candid friend; calling for the closure of Guantanamo; setting a target for the withdrawal of British troops; renegotiating fully reciprocal extradition laws between Britain and the US; and urging President Bush to sign up to the Kyoto treaty."