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| Islamic State air strikes in Iraq 'would be legal' - No 10 | Islamic State air strikes in Iraq 'would be legal' - No 10 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Iraqi government's request for support in its fight with Islamic State (IS) means UK air strikes in the country would be legal, Number 10 says. | |
| A summary of the government's position said the call "provides a clear and unequivocal legal basis for deployment of UK forces". | A summary of the government's position said the call "provides a clear and unequivocal legal basis for deployment of UK forces". |
| On Friday MPs will vote on a motion backing strikes against IS militants in Iraq - but not in Syria. | |
| Meanwhile some 250 anti-war protesters have gathered outside Downing Street. | Meanwhile some 250 anti-war protesters have gathered outside Downing Street. |
| The proposed motion comes after a third night of US-led air strikes which targeted IS-controlled oil refineries in Syria. | |
| Five civilians and 14 IS - sometimes known as Isil or Isis - fighters were killed in the east of the country, according to UK-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. | Five civilians and 14 IS - sometimes known as Isil or Isis - fighters were killed in the east of the country, according to UK-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. |
| In the US, the media reported a claim by FBI director James Comey that the bureau had identified the man referred to in the British press as "Jihadi John". | |
| The suspected militant - who the FBI is not naming at present - is thought to have appeared in IS beheading videos. | |
| Number 10 said UK forces could join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the UN seeking international assistance. | Number 10 said UK forces could join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the UN seeking international assistance. |
| "International law is clear that the use of force in international relations is prohibited, subject to limited exceptions," a note sent to journalists read. | "International law is clear that the use of force in international relations is prohibited, subject to limited exceptions," a note sent to journalists read. |
| "However, international law is equally clear that this prohibition does not apply to the use of military force by one state on the territory of another if the territorial state so requests or consents. | "However, international law is equally clear that this prohibition does not apply to the use of military force by one state on the territory of another if the territorial state so requests or consents. |
| "It is clear in this case that Iraq has consented to the use of military force to defend itself against Isil in Iraq." | "It is clear in this case that Iraq has consented to the use of military force to defend itself against Isil in Iraq." |
| It states that a further Commons vote would be necessary if UK involvement was to spread to Syria. | It states that a further Commons vote would be necessary if UK involvement was to spread to Syria. |
| The motion to be put before MPs on Friday makes clear the government "will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations". | |
| Any such operations should be carried by regional forces, the foreign secretary said. | |
| Philip Hammond told reporters a Western ground invasion of Iraq "would feed Isil's narrative". | |
| "There will be a ground operation - it's just that we will not be providing ground combat troops," he added. | |
| IS has been condemned in the West for its persecution of religious minorities and on-camera beheadings of hostages. | |
| Its advance has seen it take control of parts of Syria and northern Iraq, declaring an Islamic caliphate in the region. | |
| The UK's action against the group will not extend to Syria, the foreign secretary said. | |
| But he added: "We haven't ruled out anything for the future. We'll have to see how the struggle against Isil goes." | |
| He was speaking after cabinet members were briefed by the Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton and other security figures. | He was speaking after cabinet members were briefed by the Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton and other security figures. |
| There had been strong support for military action at the meeting, according to David Cameron's official spokesman. | There had been strong support for military action at the meeting, according to David Cameron's official spokesman. |
| The Liberal Democrats and Labour are thought to be prepared to back military action in the Commons vote on Friday. | |
| Mr Hammond said: "We are expecting that the House of Commons will support the government's position." | Mr Hammond said: "We are expecting that the House of Commons will support the government's position." |
| But Madeleine Moon, a Labour member of the Defence Select Committee said there were "far too many" unanswered questions. | But Madeleine Moon, a Labour member of the Defence Select Committee said there were "far too many" unanswered questions. |
| "Once we get in there, once we start... what are we going to commit ourselves to? Does it just stop with air strikes?" she told Radio 4's PM programme. | "Once we get in there, once we start... what are we going to commit ourselves to? Does it just stop with air strikes?" she told Radio 4's PM programme. |
| "I get no sense of any thought as to a strategic plan and mission, with an exit strategy. All I get is, 'Right, we're going to bomb'." | "I get no sense of any thought as to a strategic plan and mission, with an exit strategy. All I get is, 'Right, we're going to bomb'." |
| On Wednesday the prime minister used a speech at the UN to outline the government's case for military action. | |
| In reference to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, he said: "We must not allow past mistakes to become an excuse for indifference or inaction." | |
| Full text of Friday's Commons motion | |
| That this House: | |
| Condemns the barbaric acts of ISIL against the peoples of Iraq including the Sunni, Shia, Kurds, Christians and Yazidi and the humanitarian crisis this is causing; | |
| Recognises the clear threat ISIL pose to the territorial integrity of Iraq and the request from the government of Iraq for military support from the international community and the specific request to the UK government for such support; | |
| Further recognises the threat ISIL poses to wider international security and the UK directly through its sponsorship of terrorist attacks and its murder of a British hostage; | |
| Acknowledges the broad coalition contributing to military support of the government of Iraq, including countries throughout the Middle East; | |
| Further acknowledges the request of the government of Iraq for international support to defend itself against the threat ISIL poses to Iraq and its citizens, and the clear legal basis that this provides for action in Iraq; | |
| Notes that this motion does not endorse UK air strikes in Syria as part of this campaign, and any proposal to do so would be subject to a separate vote in Parliament; | |
| Accordingly supports Her Majesty's Government, working with allies, in supporting the government of Iraq in protecting civilians and restoring its territorial integrity, including the use of UK air strikes to support Iraqi, including Kurdish, security forces' efforts against ISIL in Iraq; | |
| Notes that Her Majesty's Government will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations; | |
| Offers its wholehearted support to the men and women of Her Majesty's armed forces. |