John Major rounds on IDS

Iain Duncan Smith today came under stinging fire from his predecessor, John Major, for failing to tackle the Government effectively over Iraq.

The former prime minister listed a dozen hard questions which, he said, should have been put in challenge to Tony Blair.

Mr Major also suggested the Tory leader should have pressed earlier than he did to recall Parliament for an emergency debate. But he disagreed with Mr Duncan Smith's demand for MPs to be given a direct vote on the issue of war or peace when they meet next week.

"I think we should proceed and deal with Saddam, but that does not excuse us from asking the hard questions that should follow," Mr Major told the BBC's Today programme.

His questions included: "What is the exit strategy after the current Iraqi regime has gone? Who actually replaces them? If it is a friendly state, would they have support or would they be greeted with suspicion as a puppet of the US? How long must coalition troops stay in Iraq?"

The Conservatives said later that Mr Duncan Smith was "relaxed" about Mr Major's comments. But the criticisms intensified the pressure on the Tory leader, already under fire for failing to make an impact in his first year in the job.

He did not urge that Parliament be recalled over Iraq until last week. By then Mr Blair had already assented.