Foster fails to Stop the War... of words (From Worcester News)

Foster fails to Stop the War... of words

7:00am Friday 13th February 2009

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LOOK out – tensions in the Middle East now appear to have spilled over into our own Faithful City.

And as often seems to be the case, where there's a good political row going on in Worcester, city MP Mike Foster is right at the heart of it.

A coalition of religious groups, anti-war protesters and concerned citizens have been protesting in Worcester about the Israeli occupation of Palestine, following the horrific conflict in Gaza last month.

Meanwhile, in his job at the Department for International Development, Mr Foster has been involved in getting aid to the beleaguered Palestinians.

So some of the protesters went to his weekly clinic recently to make their point about what they see as the illegal actions of the Israeli Government.

However, it appears the two parties did not see eye to eye.

Following the meeting, Worcester Stop the War secretary Neil Laurenson let rip with a long email to Mr Foster, thanking him for his time but claiming he had “totally accepted the Israeli version of events”.

Mr Laurenson's 600-word polemic was detailed and powerfully-written – even containing footnotes to back up his points.

Four days later, he sent a second email, almost as lengthy, condemning UK arms sales to Israel “I look forward to your response,” he finished, no doubt somewhat out of breath.

He needn't have bothered.

“Dear Mr Laurenson,” Mr Foster replied.

“Thank you for the email, the contents of which I have noted. I do not agree with your record of the meeting and have neither the time or inclination to correct them.”

And that was it.

To be fair, Mr Foster is a busy man and had already given up more than two hours of his time on a Friday evening to discuss the issues with the protesters.

But Mr Laurenson was fuming.

“You are my MP and I expect a proper response to my letters,” he wrote, angrily suggesting Mr Foster had “refused to properly respond” because to do so would “challenge your remit as a servant of Gordon Brown.”

Mr Foster, however, only had time for two more sentences.

“Thank you for your email,” he wrote.

“Again, I have noted the contents, and will not be wasting my time in correcting you.”

Yikes.

Two can play at that game, Mr Laurenson decided.

“Thank you for your email,” he replied. “Again, I have noted your arrogance and shall be wasting my time correcting you in the future.”

How will it all end? Watch this space...