UK Telegraph - Britain urges US to delay war until autumn

Ministers and senior officials believe that there is no clear legal case for military action despite the build-up of American and British forces in the Gulf.

In the Commons yesterday Tony Blair denied that the Cabinet was split or that he was engaging in "dangerous brinkmanship" with Saddam over Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

But he was left in no doubt of growing opposition among Labour MPs to joining an American-led attack without convincing proof that Saddam had defied UN demands to dismantle his nuclear, chemical and biological programmes.

The exchanges showed that the Prime Minister could face a major revolt if he went to war without UN backing.

Part of the pressure for no war despite the plans for a February start.