Anger over British firms' Iraq profits

By Ben Russell , Political Correspondent

Thursday 16 March 2006

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Tony Blair has been challenged over the "scandal" of vast profits being made by British firms with reconstruction contracts in Iraq.

The Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn attacked the Prime Minister after The Independent revealed that British businesses have profited by at least £1.1bn since Saddam Hussein was ousted three years ago. Top earners include the construction firm Amec and the security company Aegis. Heasked: "Does he not think it is time to set a date for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, to end the occupation and end the growing scandal of the huge profits being made by British and American companies from reconstruction and that the continued presence represents more of a problem than a solution?"

Mr Blair said Britain should continue to support Iraq's efforts to achieve a stable democracy.

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