Brown pressurised on Iraq as 3 soldiers die

Gordon Brown came under immediate pressure to change course in Iraq today as the British death toll continued to rise.

A cross-party group of MPs seized on the departure of Tony Blair to urge the new Prime Minister to set out a clear timetable for the withdrawal of troops.

Their demands came as three British soldiers were killed and another seriously injured in southern Iraq on Mr Brown’s first full day in Number 10.

The deaths bring the total number of British military fatalities since the hostilities in Iraq began to 156.

John McDonnell, who challenged Mr Brown for the leadership but failed to win enough MPs’ support to get on the ballot paper, said withdrawal plans were becoming more urgent all the time.

“There is an opportunity for Gordon Brown now to have a radical break with Tony Blair’s regime and to set out a clear timetable for withdrawal,” Mr McDonnell said.

“I believe that would be appreciated, not only by the Parliamentary Labour Party and Labour members, but also the country.

“It is more pressing now than ever before because every death is evidence of the disastrous effects of the occupation.

“I genuinely believe that people would understand now if he brought forward a timetable for withdrawal.”

Mr McDonnell, chairman of the Social Campaign Group of Labour MPs, tabled a Commons motion this week urging Mr Brown to set out a definitive timetable for the withdrawal of troops as his first act in office.

It has so far been backed by 13 MPs, including members of the Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats and Scottish Nationalists.

Mr McDonnell is seeking a meeting between MPs and Mr Brown to discuss the issue.