FRIENDS ABROAD

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2003

Dr Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has expressed her delight at an unexpected meeting with constituents during her recent trip to Israel.

Mr and Mrs Grant, whose London home is in Ham, made the trip from their Tel Aviv flat to meet Dr Tonge at a British Israel meeting in Jerusalem.

Barbara Grant told Dr Tonge of her pleasure at meeting her representative, "although it's probably unusual for a Richmond constituent and MP to meet for the first time in a flat in Jerusalem."

Dr Tonge told the meeting about her experiences in Gaza, which Mrs Grant found "interesting and informative".

Dr Tonge said: "Mrs Grant and I have been in correspondence for some time about the security situation in Israel and Palestine so I was really pleased to meet her and her husband in person. It was good of them to make the trip all the way from Tel Aviv!"

Dr Tonge is planning a public meeting in Richmond before the Parliamentary recess to discuss the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

ENDS

For further information please contact Jenny Tonge on pager number 07699 734071 or Serena Hennessy on: 020 8332 7919