London: British Prime Minister Tony Blair is facing a rebellion of up to 200 Labour
Members of Parliament (MPs) and the resignation of as many as 10 members of his
government if he proceeds with military action against Iraq, without a second UN
resolution authorising it, according to media reports.
Labour rebels, who mustered 122 votes against Blair in the House of Commons 11 days
ago, say their numbers will pass 200 if Blair strikes Iraq without the second UN
resolution, the 'Sunday Times' reported.
According to the report, two ministerial aides signalled their intention on March 8
to resign from their posts over the issue and the protest organisers said many more
were waiting in the wings.
"If, as expected, 10 Parliamentary private secretaries (PPS) resign, nearly half of
all departments will have been hit by the revolt. Despite a confident assertion on
March 8 by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw that a second resolution could be secured at
the UN, there were signs of a deepening division in the Security Council," the
report said.
A leading report in the 'Sunday Telegraph' said five members of the government,
including three aides to Cabinet ministers, have told the newspaper that they will
quit if the Prime Minister opts for war on Saddam Hussein without the support of the
Security Council.
PTI
