MPs press Blair for 'payback' from Bush

Tony Blair was today facing demands from Labour MPs to stand up to George Bush when he visits Washington this week.

The Prime Minister flies out on Thursday to become the first foreign leader to meet the president since the US election.

Tactics and strategy in Iraq will top the list of issues but Mr Blair will also push for greater American action on the wider Middle East, climate change and African poverty.

Labour backbenchers were set, in a private meeting as well as following the Prime

Minister's Commons statementon the EU summit, to call for a visible "payback" for Britain's support for the US.

Former defence minister Peter Kilfoyle said the speed of the visit "will alienate not only his party but a sizeable proportion of the British public".

Former deputy party leader Lord Hattersley accused Mr Blair of adopting "neo-conservative" economic policies and urged Mr Blair to step down "sooner rather than later".