The SNP has called for the Westminster government to begin the pullout of UK forces from Iraq, following weekend newspaper reports that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Iraqi forces are capable and coalition troops can leave "anytime they want."

The SNP’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson made the call following a vote by the US House of Representatives in favour of pulling out most combat troops.

He said: “The time has come for the UK government to announce the withdrawal of British forces from Iraq.

“Both the Iraqi Prime Minister and US Congress have recognised the changed circumstance and ironically it is only the UK government and President Bush that are holding out. The continuing presence of UK and US forces is not the solution to the disastrous situation in Iraq. It is time for our brave servicemen and women to return home.

“The SNP has consistently opposed the operations in Iraq, and now the US Congress and even leading Republicans are coming to the same view.

“As Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown voted for and bankrolled the Iraq war. Now as Prime Minister he should end this disastrous foreign policy mistake which has cost so many lives.”

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