Cabinet split over need for approval of military action

Iraq: Rift emerges among ministers as US invasion plans keep the pressure on President Saddam to accept Security Council resolution

A split in Tony Blair's Cabinet emerged yesterday over whether the United States and Britain should seek a second resolution from the United Nations before launching military action against Iraq.

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, and Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, contradicted Clare Short, the International Development Secretary, who said on Saturday that it was for the UN Security Council to decide whether military action was launched if Saddam Hussein failed to disarm.

Mr Straw denied that there was any uncertainty about how the international community would respond in the case of any breach of the resolution agreed unanimously by the Security Council last week. "It is all there. It is very clear," he said. "Military action is bound to follow if Saddam Hussein does not comply fully with the terms of this resolution."

Challenged about Ms Short's statement that the Security Council would decide on the type of action to be taken, Mr Hoon took a different line. He said: "It's always a matter for individual member states as it is for the United Kingdom to determine whether or not force will be used. It is a decision of the British Prime Minister to commit British troops."

The Defence Secretary emphasised that there would be a serious "further discussion" at the UN if President Saddam thwarted the work of the inspectors. Mr Hoon said that no decision had been taken about sending troops to Kuwait in preparation for a possible invasion. Tonight Mr Blair will call for urgent progress to be made in the Middle East peace process when he makes his annual speech on foreign affairs at the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London. His aim will be to reassure Arab nations over the intentions of America and Britain in Iraq.

The Prime Minister will call for a debate on the balance that needs to be struck over the global threat of terrorism. While calling for people to be vigilant amid fears of al-Qa'ida attacks in Britain, he will say that the Government cannot make public every warning of a terrorist act because the terrorists would then achieve their goals by paralysing the country.

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, warned yesterday that Britain's tough line against the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks had made it a "front line" target for terrorists.

Events like yesterday's Remembrance Day ceremonies must be regarded as potential targets for al-Qai'da, who might also strike in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year, Mr Blunkett told BBC1's Breakfast with Frost.

Although ministers are optimistic that President Saddam will allow inspectors to return to Iraq after the UN's demand, they are worried that cabinet tensions will resurface if he repeats his cat and mouse tactics.

* One of Britain's most senior churchmen said yesterday that military action in Iraq could be justified if weapons inspectors uncovered evidence of a threat from Saddam Hussein. But the Bishop of London, the Right Rev Richard Chartres, said he had seen no evidence of any imminent threat and stressed that any use of force had to be carried out proportionately and with the backing of the international community.