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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Harman denies Iraq apology call | Harman denies Iraq apology call |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Labour's new deputy leader Harriet Harman has denied saying the government should apologise over the Iraq war. | Labour's new deputy leader Harriet Harman has denied saying the government should apologise over the Iraq war. |
| She told BBC Radio's Today: "I've never said the government should apologise." | She told BBC Radio's Today: "I've never said the government should apologise." |
| During the closely-fought campaign she said "I agree" when rival Jon Cruddas told a Newsnight hustings event that the Labour Party should "say sorry". | During the closely-fought campaign she said "I agree" when rival Jon Cruddas told a Newsnight hustings event that the Labour Party should "say sorry". |
| Ms Harman, elected after being the next choice of more Cruddas supporters than Alan Johnson, said people voted for her because of family policies, not Iraq. | Ms Harman, elected after being the next choice of more Cruddas supporters than Alan Johnson, said people voted for her because of family policies, not Iraq. |
| Pressed during the Today programme interview she said: "What I've said is I actually voted for the war on the basis that there were weapons of mass destruction and I was wrong on that." | Pressed during the Today programme interview she said: "What I've said is I actually voted for the war on the basis that there were weapons of mass destruction and I was wrong on that." |
| "How many times can I say it? I haven't asked anybody else to do anything - I've just explained what my position is. | "How many times can I say it? I haven't asked anybody else to do anything - I've just explained what my position is. |
| I've said that if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have voted for it. I don't think that's what the party members elected me for Harriet HarmanLabour deputy leader Newsnight debate | I've said that if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have voted for it. I don't think that's what the party members elected me for Harriet HarmanLabour deputy leader Newsnight debate |
| "What I said was that we had to recognise the anger and bitterness that has been caused by Iraq, and we do, whilst at the same time strongly supporting our troops." | "What I said was that we had to recognise the anger and bitterness that has been caused by Iraq, and we do, whilst at the same time strongly supporting our troops." |
| She added: "I've said that if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have voted for it. I don't think that's what the party members elected me for. | She added: "I've said that if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have voted for it. I don't think that's what the party members elected me for. |
| "They elected me because they've known me for 20 years helping Labour win elections and also because I put on the political agenda things that otherwise might get overlooked, which are not things to do with Iraq but are things to do with family." | "They elected me because they've known me for 20 years helping Labour win elections and also because I put on the political agenda things that otherwise might get overlooked, which are not things to do with Iraq but are things to do with family." |
| Newsnight's Paxman | Newsnight's Paxman |
| In the BBC Newsnight debate during the deputy leadership campaign the candidates were asked by Jeremy Paxman about their views on Iraq, a subject which the party's new leader Gordon Brown has acknowledged remains a "divisive" issue within the party. | In the BBC Newsnight debate during the deputy leadership campaign the candidates were asked by Jeremy Paxman about their views on Iraq, a subject which the party's new leader Gordon Brown has acknowledged remains a "divisive" issue within the party. |
| All six deputy candidates voted for the war but Ms Harman and backbencher Mr Cruddas both said they would not have voted for the war if they had known there were no weapons of mass destruction. | All six deputy candidates voted for the war but Ms Harman and backbencher Mr Cruddas both said they would not have voted for the war if they had known there were no weapons of mass destruction. |
| Ms Harman said: "I just think that if you are looking forward and you want to rebuild public trust and confidence, you have got to admit when you get it wrong." | Ms Harman said: "I just think that if you are looking forward and you want to rebuild public trust and confidence, you have got to admit when you get it wrong." |
| Some are saying I am too posh, others are saying I am too left wing... they haven't really got it sorted out Harriet Harman Contenders split over Iraq href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6230000/newsid_6237300?redirect=6237306.stm&news=1&nbwm=1&bbram=1&nbram=1&bbwm=1">Daily Politics | |
| Asked if they thought the party should "say sorry", Mr Cruddas said it should, as part of "a general reconciliation with the British people", and Ms Harman added: "I agree with that." | Asked if they thought the party should "say sorry", Mr Cruddas said it should, as part of "a general reconciliation with the British people", and Ms Harman added: "I agree with that." |
| Later on Monday she was pressed on the issue again when she appeared on BBC Two's The Daily Politics. | Later on Monday she was pressed on the issue again when she appeared on BBC Two's The Daily Politics. |
| She said she had not been referring to the need for an apology, but agreeing with the need for reconciliation with the public. | She said she had not been referring to the need for an apology, but agreeing with the need for reconciliation with the public. |
| "I have not said I will press for a public apology from the government or the Labour Party," she said. | "I have not said I will press for a public apology from the government or the Labour Party," she said. |
| Deputy PM | Deputy PM |
| Ms Harman was announced as the new deputy leader on Sunday, to replace John Prescott, who is stepping down after 13 years in the post - and 10 as deputy prime minister, alongside Tony Blair. | Ms Harman was announced as the new deputy leader on Sunday, to replace John Prescott, who is stepping down after 13 years in the post - and 10 as deputy prime minister, alongside Tony Blair. |
| She beat five other candidates to the post, pipping the favourite, Education Secretary Alan Johnson in the fifth round of votes. | She beat five other candidates to the post, pipping the favourite, Education Secretary Alan Johnson in the fifth round of votes. |
| It is thought unlikely she will become deputy prime minister, as indications are there will not be a deputy PM under Gordon Brown. | It is thought unlikely she will become deputy prime minister, as indications are there will not be a deputy PM under Gordon Brown. |
| Asked if she was disappointed, she told Today she had been elected to a party job and intended to get on with it. | Asked if she was disappointed, she told Today she had been elected to a party job and intended to get on with it. |
| She added: "As far as the government positions are concerned they will be decided by Gordon Brown when he becomes prime minister on Wednesday and the question of what posts they are and who does them is a matter for him." | She added: "As far as the government positions are concerned they will be decided by Gordon Brown when he becomes prime minister on Wednesday and the question of what posts they are and who does them is a matter for him." |
| She also dismissed newspaper critics telling the BBC: "Some are saying I am too right-wing, others are saying I am too left-wing... they haven't really got it sorted out. I just am what I am." | She also dismissed newspaper critics telling the BBC: "Some are saying I am too right-wing, others are saying I am too left-wing... they haven't really got it sorted out. I just am what I am." |