Cook and union leaders challenge Blair's stance

Tony Blair suffered a double rebuff over Iraq yesterday when Robin Cook called for a full-scale Commons vote and trade union leaders rejected pressure to water down a statement expressing doubts about military action.

Mr Cook, the Leader of the Commons, challenged the Prime Minister's strategy of avoiding a formal vote, which could see up to 100 Labour MPs stage the biggest backbench rebellion since Mr Blair took office. The Prime Minister would probably have to rely on the support of Tory MPs to win such a vote.

Mr Cook has not yet discussed his desire for a full vote with Mr Blair, who is thought to prefer a debate on a technical Commons motion, thus avoiding a formal vote.

Mr Cook said: "In practical terms it is not conceivable that Britain could embark on military action without the support in the House of Commons. In 1991 the Labour Party agreed with John Major that there should be a debate on a substantive motion of a military commitment to the Gulf War. I am perfectly confident that the Government will bear in mind that precedent."

Meanwhile, frantic behind-the-scenes attempts by Downing Street to tone down an anti-American declaration on Iraq at next week's TUC conference were rejected yesterday. The Prime Minister's aides had intervened to help officials draw up a draft statement on the issue but it was thrown out by the TUC's General Council. Bureaucrats at Congress House were ordered to come up with much tougher wording.

The TUC's new version declares "unambiguous" opposition to any military action taken without the "explicit" support of the United Nations Security Council, demands clear evidence that Saddam Hussein is developing weapons of mass destruction before any offensive is launched and calls for a UN deadline for allowing weapons inspectors into the country.

Downing Street dismissed demands from MPs from all parties yesterday for Parliament to be recalled.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "There is no question of UK troops being committed to military action without the fullest possible opportunity for Parliament to be consulted. We are not at that stage."

The Prime Minister may be forced to bow to the pressure for an emergency debate on Iraq after the Tories and the Liberal Democrats demanded an early recall.

Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative leader, said the Government should publish its dossier of evidence on Iraq within the next few days and that Parliament should debate the issue "at the earliest opportunity".

Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, said it was "absolutely imperative" that Mr Blair addressed Parliament on the subject on his return from his talks with President Bush this weekend. He said it would be absurd if Parliament was the only place that remained silent in the midst of the discussions.

Twenty-three Labour and Scottish nationalist MPs also wrote to Mr Blair asking for a recall. They said: "Members should have the right to express the views before the Prime Minister meets President Bush. It will be a travesty of democracy if that debate takes place after key steps in launching a war against Iraq have already been taken."

But Mr Cook said: "Action is neither imminent nor is it inevitable so therefore it is not an urgent case for Parliament returning, but it is an issue we will keep under review."