David Cameron ruled out UK involvement in military action against Syria after his authority and international standing were dealt a severe blow by defeat on the issue in the Commons.

Britain's National Security Council has agreed unanimously that the world “should not stand by” after the “unacceptable” use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said.

Six soldiers are missing, believed killed, after an armoured vehicle was caught in an explosion in Afghanistan, the UK's Ministry of Defence said today.