Pressure grows over Iraq debate

Tony Blair faces the renewed threat of a damaging party conference defeat over the Iraq war.

The Prime Minister had thought he had escaped the likely humiliation after unions did a deal to keep the issue off the main conference agenda.

But today the possibility of a vote was back on after heated protests by conference organisers.

If it takes place, it will be held on Wednesday and would condemn Mr Blair to a defeat at the hands of his own party.

Today's U-turn came after unions yesterday decided to debate motions on domestic issues - effectively throwing out an emergency resolution condemning the Iraq war.

But today the conference arrangements committee, which has a majority of members opposed to Mr Blair on many issues, refused to approve today's running order unless a review of the decision to rule out the resolution on Iraq was held.

The result of the review is expected later today.