MPs to vote on air strikes in Iraq

British prime minister David Cameron announced the recall of parliament to seek MPs’ approval for British involvement in air strikes on the Islamic State terror group in Iraq.

MPs will return to Westminster tomorrow for a vote which could clear the way for RAF planes to join the US, France, and a number of Arab states in bombarding IS positions as early as the weekend.

Mr Cameron — who is desperate to avoid a repeat of last year’s damaging Commons defeat over air strikes against Syria — said he was confident he would get the support of the House “on an all-party basis”.

“What we are doing is legal, it is right, it does not involve British troops on the ground,” he said. “As ever with our country, when we are threatened in this way we should not turn away from what needs to be done.”

Mr Cameron said that he was responding to a request for assistance from the Iraqi government — seen by British officials as providing the legal underpinning for military action.

He made clear that the action would be restricted to Iraq and that it would require a further debate and vote by MPs if the government was to extend air strikes into Syria.

The debate, on a “substantive motion”, will be opened for the government by Mr Cameron and closed by Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, with a vote due at 5.30pm.

Mr Clegg confirmed that the Liberal Democrats would be supporting the Government motion.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said his party would support the proposal for air strikes in Iraq.