Blair wins Commons debate on Iraq

Prime Minister Tony Blair delivered his final plea for support on Iraq from his own MPs. His speech came as he faced a massive backbench backlash over his stance on war.

The rebels'amendment was defeated, but 199 MPs still voted against the Government's policy over Iraq.

Mr Blair used Prime Minister's Question Time in the Commons - just a few minutes before today's crucial debate began - to assure Labour MPs he was working "flat out" to achieve a second United Nations resolution to back his position.

He told doubters on his own side and elsewhere: "I think the case we have set out in respect of Iraq is a good case.

"I hope that if people listen to it and study it in detail, they will accept that if we do have to act and go to war, it will not be because we want to, but because of the breaches by Saddam Hussein of UN resolutions."

But he showed no sign of softening his position, appearing to confirm to Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith that any veto of a second resolution would now be "unreasonable".

Mr Blair has said he would be prepared to go to war without explicit UN backing in those circumstances.

He told the Tory leader: "It certainly would be an unreasonable veto if Iraq is in material breach and we don't pass a resolution because resolution 1441 made it absolutely clear that Iraq had a final opportunity to comply.

"If it isn't complying, then it is in breach and that's why I believe a second resolution should issue and why I believe that, in the end, it will issue."

The Prime Minister added: "The simple case is that unless the UN carries through what it agreed, it is the authority of the UN itself which is going to be undermined."

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