French jets struck a suspected Islamic State target in Iraq for the first time, expanding a US-led military campaign against militants who have seized a third of the country and also control large parts of neighbouring Syria.

Libya announced another ceasefire tonight as the country braced itself for a second night’s bombardment by allied forces.

Ministers would not seek to interfere in a fraud investigation into a multibillion-pound arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the UK Department of Foreign Affairs said today.