No reason to attack Iraq, says MP

That's the stark message from MP David Chaytor, who fears Britain is rushing to join an American armed "adventure".

The Labour backbencher is urging his constituents to inundate his office with their views on whether we should go to war without UN support.

He says public opinion will be crucial in deciding whether peace or war will prevail.

"Without Tony Blair's patient diplomacy over a long period, backed by the threat of force, there would be no weapons inspectors in Iraq now and it is almost certain that Iraq would have been subject to intensive bombing by the Americans many months ago," said Mr Chaytor.

It is still difficult to see, however, that even following the publication of this week's report by the UN weapons inspectors, that there can be any moral, military or political case for a unilateral attack by the United States on Iraq.

"I am certainly not convinced that British soldiers' lives should be put at risk in support of what may be perceived as a mainly American military adventure."

Mr Chaytor said he has received dozens of letters and emails on the subject in the last few weeks.

"I am now urging all people in Bury North who are concerned about the serious international situation, particularly those people who have never contacted an MP before, to put pen to paper or send an email."

The MP added: "The outcome over the next few weeks hangs on a knife edge. I am convinced that public opinion, in Britain and across the world, can be crucial in deciding whether we can preserve the peace or be dragged into war."

Mr Chaytor has signed a Parliamentary motion calling on the Government to be "candid" about the justification for war.

Along with other MPs, he says that a large proportion of the public do not believe that the threat posed by Iraq is sufficient to warrant an attack, nor is the need to maintain a close relationship with the USA.

Mr Chaytor also demands that MPs are given a vote on whether to attack Iraq before military action starts.