Blair facing Commons revolt over Iraq

Prime Minister Tony Blair is set to face a major backbench rebellion over his hardline stance on Iraq.

The Government has imposed a three-line whip for a Commons debate on its policy towards Iraq, insisting that Labour MPs back its motion calling on Saddam Hussein to recognise that he has a "final opportunity" to comply with his disarmament obligations.

But as of last night some 115 MPs - including about 80 Labour backbenchers - had put their names to an anti-war amendment.

The cross-party amendment argues that "the case for military action against Iraq (is) as yet unproven."

That level of opposition is likely to translate into one of the biggest rebellions Mr Blair has suffered since he came to power in May 1997.

The cross-party amendment was tabled by former Culture Secretary Chris Smith, and signed by former Foreign Office ministers Doug Henderson and Tony Lloyd, former defence minister Peter Kilfoyle and former sports minister Tony Banks.

Ahead of the debate, Mr Smith argued that the UN weapons inspectors should be given more scope to try to establish the truth about Saddam Hussein's weapons programmes.

Another signatory, former Government whip Graham Allen, said that although he did not rule out military action, it would be "premature and illegitimate" at this juncture.

Prominent Tories who are backing the motion include former agriculture minister Douglas Hogg and Edward Leigh, chairman of the influential Commons public accounts committee.

About 50 Liberal Democrats have signed an alternative amendment which argues that diplomatic channels have not been exhausted yet, and that any military action must be sanctioned by the UN Security Council and the House of Commons.

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