Backbench revolt over Iraq gaffe

Tony Blair is today facing a fresh surge of revolt from mutinous Labour MPs, triggered by an apparent gaffe by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.

Mr Hoon inflamed the party's backbenchers when he said that Britain could launch a military attack on Iraq without first getting approval for the action from the United Nations.

His remarks appeared at odds with the view of International Development Secretary Clare Short , who has said that a proper UN mandate would be essential before troops could be sent in. They also prompted senior Labour MPs to voice doubts over any extension of the war against terror.

Former culture secretary Chris Smith war ned against Britain contemplating an "all-out invasion of Iraq simply going on the coat-tails of an American unilateral decision".

However, Mr Hoon's comments were uncompromising. He said that there was no legal necessity to go back to the UN for agreement on action "not least because those weapons of mass destruction might well be capable of posing a threat to the United Kingdom, in which case we would be entitled to act in self-defence".

Rumours were swirling around Westminster over the weekend of some form of leadership challenge against Mr Blair later this year as backbenchers made known their unhappiness over a range of issues.

Commentary: Cause for concern?