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OPPONENTS of Britain’s bombing missions in Iraq rallied in London this weekend, arguing that waging war would not bring peace to the Middle East.
The protest took place against a background of revulsion following the murder by Islamic State (Isis) extremists of aid volunteer Alan Henning.
Mr Henning, a taxi driver from Eccles in Salford, Greater Manchester, was beheaded and a video of the execution posted online by Isis.
His brother-in-law Colin Livesey has accused the government of doing too little to save him.
“They could have done more when they knew about it months and months ago,” he said.
“Just the same with David Haines as well — I don’t think they did enough for him either.”
Mr Haines was the first Briton to be executed by Isis after being kidnapped in Syria.
Saturday’s anti-war protest in London was organised by the Stop the War Coalition.
Demonstrators held placards saying “stop bombing Iraq” and “don’t attack Syria.”
Francis O’Neill, 36, from Oxford, said: “I just think it’s insane.”
He said he had “every sympathy” with Mr Henning’s family, but said dropping bombs was not the answer.
Mr O’Neill said Britain inflicts “equal barbarity” on the people of Iraq, but people in Britain feel “distanced” from it.
Josh Blakely, 35, from Berkshire, said: “The war is not in my name. It’s in MPs’ names. If we’re going to go to war then the whole country should get to vote.”
A special multi-faith church service for Mr Henning will be held in Eccles in the near future.
Imam Asim Hussain, of Manchester Central Mosque, said those responsible for Mr Henning’s death are “the most misguided individuals” who are “causing a huge amount of problems for the name of Islam.
“They are not Islamic in any way, nor are they a state,” he said. “Neither do we as Muslims consider them to be Muslims.”
Mr Henning’s wife Barbara said: “Alan was a decent, caring human being. His interest was in the welfare of others. He will be remembered for this and we as a family are extremely proud of him and what he achieved and the people he helped.”
