When asked about the UK's presence in Afghanistan and the elections in the region he said:

'I would say that the Government has committed our troops to Afghanistan not for Afghan democracy, but for our security. Our analysis is very simple, that the badlands of the Afghan Pakistan border are the incubator of choice for al Qaeda and for international terrorism. It’s for that reason that our forces and those of forty one other countries are there. 

Now an Afghan Government worthy of its name is essential to progress in Afghanistan and it’s essential to the development of security forces and a political system that allows us eventually to get our troops out and so I think it’s right therefore that because no candidate got fifty per cent of the vote in the Afghan elections there should be a second round.'

On the issue of the possibility of re-opening the Lockerbie inquiry, David Miliband said:

'This is rightly a matter for the Scottish authorities. We’ve always said that this was a terrible crime where justice must be done and every avenue pursued.  The investigation was never formally closed and that’s why it’s wholly appropriate that if there are grounds for taking new steps that they should be taken. You can see from today’s announcement that the commitment in Scotland remains real in respect of justice in this case and that must be right'

David Miliband's interview with Andrew Marr also took place ahead of his major speech on Europe which will take place at the International Institute for Strategic Studies on Monday 26 October.

Notes for Editors

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