UK prepared to use force, says Hoon

BRITISH Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon yesterday confirmed Britain was preparing for military action against Iraq.

Mr Hoon said the international community’s willingness to use force was a factor in Saddam Hussein’s change of attitude towards weapons inspectors but stressed military action would be a last resort.

He refused to elaborate on details of dates or tactics but said Saddam had to be shown that “we mean business”.