Blair faces Labour revolt over Iraq

Prime Minister Tony Blair was facing a massive Labour revolt in the Commons over his hardline stance on Iraq.

Downing Street urged MPs "to face up to the full context of the issue."

And Government whips mounted a major operation to try to limit the size of the rebellion in this evening's Commons vote.

But Mr Blair will almost certainly face his biggest parliamentary setback since he took office, with around 100 - or maybe more - Labour MPs set to withhold their support from him.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "He understands their concerns and shares them, but equally he sees that as the Prime Minister he has to address the wider questions."

No specific diplomatic initiatives were flagged up by No 10 today, but Mr Blair's spokesman said he would continue to talk to colleagues around the world.

The Prime Minister was also set for another televised question and answer session with opponents of military conflict over Iraq to be screened on ITV this evening.

Mr Blair's spokesman added: "The Prime Minister thinks people will recognise this is not just an issue of war or peace.

"It is about how we deal with Saddam Hussein, weapons of mass destruction and the fact that Saddam is defying the will of the United Nations."

But parliamentary opponents of Mr Blair's stance showed no sign of backing down today.

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