Britain is to join air strikes against ISIS militants in Iraq after MPs voted overwhelmingly by 524 to 43 to back military action.

Six RAF Tornados are expected to join war planes from the US, France and Arab nations after Parliament staged a six-hour emergency debate on UK intervention.

David Cameron insisted Britain cannot 'walk on by' in the face of the threat posed by 'psychopathic terrorists'.

But divisions emerged over expanding action into neighbouring Syria, with Labour leader Ed Miliband insisting a UN Security Council resolution should be sought first, even though Russia and China are certain to veto it.

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Prime Minister David Cameron warned ISIS has behaved with 'staggering brutality' as he opened the debate ahead of the vote in Parliament

MPs tonight backed the Government's plans to join air strikes against ISIS in Iraq by 524 to 43 - a majority of 481 - after more than six hours of debate in an emergency recall of Parliament today

The PM left Parliament tonight after MPs backed the Government motion authorising military action against ISIS in Iraq

MPs were recalled to Westminster today to vote on British involvement in air strikes against ISIS - also known as Islamic State or ISIL - in Iraq, at the request of the Iraqi government.

Of the 43 MPs who voted against the intervention, around 24 were from Labour, including shadow education minister Rushanara Ali who resigned from the party's front bench because she could not back airstrikes.

It also emerged shortly after the vote that the shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker had sacked his parliamentary aide, the Labour MP Iain McKenzie, for voting against military action.

RAF Tornados have been stationed in Cyprus for the past six weeks and have been flying surveillance flights over northern Iraq. An RAF C-130 was also seen landing at RAF Akrotiri, an air base near Limassol.

They could begin dropping bombs and missiles within hours of the Prime Minister giving the orders.

A widespread consensus emerged on the principle of air strikes in Iraq, even backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. But there were repeated calls for the action to be replicated in Syria.

Mr Miliband said it would be 'better' to seek a UN Security Council resolution on action in Syria.

This is about psychopathic terrorists who are trying to kill us. Like it or not they have already declared war on us Prime Minister David Cameron

But former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the demand was 'wholly pointless', as MPs from across the political spectrum said it made no sense to not to include Syria in today's vote.

Opening the debate, Mr Cameron said: 'There is no more serious issue than asking our armed forces to put themselves in harm's way to protect our country.'

He insisted British involvement in military action in Iraq was necessary and in the national interest, working with local partner countries to build an international coalition.

He admitted the 2003 invasion of Iraq by Tony Blair's government 'hangs heavy' over the Commons, but warned today's situation is 'very different'.

'This is not 2003, we must not use past mistakes as an excuse for indifference or inaction,' the PM added.

Backing military action, Labour leader Ed Miliband said 'although this is difficult, it's the right thing to do'

Labour Leader Ed Miliband told the Commons that Labour would back military action but demanded a UN resolution before considering airstrikes in Syria

ACTION AGAINST ISIS: THE FULL MOTION PASSED BY MPS TONIGHT This is the text of the motion passed by MPs after a six-hour debate: '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 poses 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; 'And offers its wholehearted support to the men and women of Her Majesty's armed forces.' Advertisement

The Prime Minister said ISIS were 'psychopaths' which had declared war on Britain and other western countries

SHADOW MINISTER RUSHANARA ALI RESIGN TO ABSTAIN IN KEY VOTE Shadow education minister Rushanara Ali tonight quit the Labour frontbench after refusing to back Ed Miliband's support for air strikes in Iraq. Elected in 2010 as one of the country's first female Muslim MPs, she defeated George Galloway, who was a major critic of new military intervention in Iraq. Born in Bangladesh, her family moved to the East End when she was seven and she grew up in Tower Hamlets. The 39-year-old worked as a researcher for former Bethnal Green MP Oona King from 1997-99, before joining the IPPR think tank. In a letter to Mr Miliband ahead of the vote on Iraq, Ms Ali said: 'I understand the case that has been made and will not be voting against the motion. 'But I am unable in conscience to support the motion and I will make a deliberate abstention.' Advertisement

THE MPS WHO VOTED AGAINST WAR Labour: Diane Abbott Graham Allen Anne Begg Ronnie Campbell Martin Caton Katy Clark Ian Davidson Paul Flynn Stephen Hepburn Kate Hoey Kelvin Hopkins Sian James Mark Lazraowicz John Mc Donnell Iain McKenzie Austin Mitchell Grahame Morris George Mudie Linda Riordan Barry Sheerman Dennis Skinner Graham Stringer Mike wood Jeremy Corbyn Plus: Rushanara Ali (Formal abstention) Conservative: Richard Bacon John Baron Gordon Henderson Adam Holloway Nigel Mills Mark Reckless Lib Dems: Julian Huppert SDLP: Mark Durkan Alasdair McDonnell Margaret Ritchie Plaid Cymru: Jonathan Edwards Hywel Williams Respect: George Gallway SNP: Stewart Hosie Angus Roberton Mike Weir Eilidh Whiteford Angus Brendan McNeill Pete Wishart Green: Caroline Lucas Advertisement

Mr Cameron said the UK has a 'duty' to act and could not leave responsibility for keeping the British people safe to other countries.

'Is there a threat to the British people? The answer is yes,' he said. 'ISIL has already murdered one British hostage and has threatened to murder two more.'

Mr Cameron added: 'ISIL is a terrorist organisation unlike those we have dealt with before.

'The brutality is staggering - beheadings, crucifixions, gauging out of eyes, use of rape as a weapon. All those things belong to the dark ages.'

Challenged by Labour MP David Winnick, who warned previous interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, had ended in failure, Mr Cameron insisted doing nothing was not an option.

'This is about psychopathic terrorists who are trying to kill us. Like it or not they have already declared war on us. There isn't a walk on by option.'

Labour veteran Dennis Skinner intervened to ask the Prime Minister: 'How long will this war last and when will mission creep start?'

Mr Cameron replied: 'This is going to be a mission that will take not just months but years, but I believe we have to be prepared for that commitment.'

The Cabinet unanimously backed military action against ISIS yesterday, ahead of today's debate.

But the motion passed in Parliament tonight explicitly rules out strikes in Syria, and a separate vote would be needed for British warplanes to widen their targets.

Mr Cameron made clear that opposition from the Labour party meant today's debate was narrowly focussed on Iraq.

He said there was a 'strong case' for UK action in Syria but he 'did not want to bring motion to the House that there wasn't consensus for'.

He backed the US-led air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria, but no British action can be taken there without a further debate and vote at Westminster.

'I do believe there is a strong case for us to do more in Syria but I did not want to bring a motion to the House today which there wasn't consensus for,' he said

'It's better if our country can proceed on the basis of consensus.'

He added that he did not believe there was a 'legal barrier' to action in Syria but he acknowledged the situation there was 'more complicated' than in Iraq because of the civil war and the position of President Assad.

Most Conservative and Lib Dem MPs are expected to back military action in Iraq, but some Labour MPs are likely to defy Mr Miliband's support to vote against it.

Mr Miliband told MPs he was supporting the government motion for air strikes against ISIS in Iraq.

He said: ' Let us be clear at the outset what is the proposition: air strikes against ISIL in Iraq.

'Not about ground troops. Nor about UK military action elsewhere. And it is a mission specifically aimed at ISIL.'

Mr Miliband added: 'I t is not simply that ISIL is a murderous organisation, it has ambitions for a state of its own - a Caliphate across the Middle East, run according to their horrific norms and values So we cannot stand by against the threat of ISIL.

'But in acting against them we need to learn the lessons from the past. That means a comprehensive strategy, humanitarian and political as well as military, rooted in the region.

'Some of this is underway. More needs to be done.

'I believe although this is difficult, this is the right thing to do. There is no graver decision for our Parliament and our country.

'But protecting our national interest, security and the values for which we stand is why I will be supporting the motion this afternoon.'

Respect MP George Galloway warned the threat posed by ISIS would not be removed by more bombing

An RAF C-130 lands at RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near Limassol, as Parliament debates air strikes againts ISIS in Iraq

KEY QUOTES FROM PARLIAMENT Prime Minister David Cameron: 'This is about psychopathic terrorists who are trying to kill us. Like it or not they have already declared war on us.' Labour leader Ed Miliband: 'A dismembered Iraq would be more dangerous for Britain in my view not less dangerous... Isil unchecked means more persecution of the innocent.' Foreign affairs select committee chairman Sir Richard Ottaway: 'The border between Syria and Iraq has virtually disappeared. It is a sea of human misery.' The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Justin Welby: 'In the here and now there is justification for the use of armed force on humanitarian grounds to enable oppressed victims to find safe space.' Labour former defence secretary Lord Reid: 'If all we do is limited military intervention, push on with tactical strikes and then look for the so-called exit strategy, then we will achieve nothing, we will go round in the same circle again in another part of the world.' Labour MP Ian Austin: 'Faced with a brutal and murderous organisation that has kidnapped and beheaded victims including British aid workers, which has carried out genocide, enslaves women, buried others alive, crucified, executed and literally butchered Christians, Yazidis and Muslims - anyone who doesn't share their warped and perverted view of Islam.' Labour former minister Pat McFadden: 'Why is it right to carry out such actions against Isis in Iraq but not in Syria? Respect MP George Galloway: 'Isil is a death cult, it's a gang of terrorist murderers. It's not an army and it's certainly not an army that's going to be destroyed by aerial bombardment. This will not be solved by bombing. We've been bombing Iraqis for 100 years.' Labour MP Dennis Skinner: 'How long will this war last and when will mission creep start?'. Green MP Caroline Lucas: 'Killing extremists does not kill their ideas.' Advertisement

Sir Richard Ottaway, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said he feared deaths if British action takes place.

But he said he would back the Government's proposal for Iraq with 'a feeling of depression and trepidation', although he also called for it to be extended to Syria.

Former Tory Cabinet minister Ken Clarke described Britain's involvement in military action as largely symbolic.

But the senior Conservative MP said the symbolism was important as it will help the UK influence the diplomacy and politics needed to stabilise the Middle East.

Mr Clarke said: 'I am left with the feeling that certainly I should support this motion because some of our best allies are taking part in this intervention.

'But I still think we're at the early stages of working out exactly where we're going and I do think that our almost symbolic participation in these military attacks - six aircraft and our intelligence are no doubt valuable to our allies - but we're symbolically joining with them.'

Former defence secretary Liam Fox, Tory MP for North Somerset, said: 'What I think we need to be clear about in this country is we cannot disengage from the global threats that we face.

'What is very clear to us is there are those out there who hate us, ideologically, for who we are, not what we do.

'When the United States were bombing Isil and we were delivering humanitarian aid they did not differentiate between an American hostage and a British hostage being beheaded.

'Terrorist ideology respects no borders. There will undoubtedly be a cost of acting on this occasion but the cost of not acting would be infinitely greater.'

Conservative MP Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) questioned whether the Government was 'seriously contending that by air strikes alone we can roll back Isil' and added: 'Is this gesture politics'.

Tory John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) questioned whether western air strikes could be 'actively counter productive'.

Green MP Caroline Lucas (Brighton Pavilion) told the Prime Minister: 'Killing extremists does not kill their ideas.'

Respect MP George Galloway said the bombing should be left to Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other countries in the region.

'The last people who should be returning to the scene of their former crimes are Britain, France and the United States of America,' he added.

Outside Parliament, protesters held placards which read 'Don't Bomb Iraq' but inside the Commons MPs insisted the situation was different to the 2003 invasion of Iraq ordered by Tony Blair

Banners have been erected on Abingdon Green opposite Parliament warning against further military action

Lift-off: A Tornado jet takes off from RAF Marham, Norfolk believed to be on its way to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to help with the air strikes against ISIS in Iraq

ED MILIBAND UNDER FIRE FOR BLOCKING ACTION IN SYRIA Labour leader Ed Miliband came under fire in the Commons today for refusing to support air strikes against ISIS in Syria. David Cameron insisted there is a 'strong case' for action in Syria, but opposition from the Labour party meant that the motion debated today is narrowly focussed on neighbouring Iraq. The government believes the legal case for US strikes in Syria is 'robust'. But Mr Miliband has argued for a UN Security Council resoluton on action in Syria. Ex-Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the stance was 'wholly pointless'. The Iraqi government has requested help from Britain in repelling ISIS. But the UK government has refused to work with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In the Commons, Mr Miliband said: 'The point I have been making in the last few days is, in my view, when we are not talking about being invited in by a democratic state it would be better - I put it no higher than that - it would be better to seek a UN Security Council resolution.' However, with Russia certain to veto any UN resolution, it appears pointless even suggesting it. Senior Labour MP Ian Austin said: 'Why we are being asked to approve air strikes in Iraq but not in Syria? 'I would like to ask why we welcomed and supported the American bombardment of Isil targets in Syria this week but said that British action should be limited to Iraq?' Ex-Labour Cabinet minister Peter Hain challenged his own leader over the refusal to support action in Syria. He warned: 'Simply allowing [ISIS] to retreat across the border to Syria is no answer.' Ex-Labour minister MP Pat McFadden said: 'Why is it right to carry out such actions against ISIL in Iraq but not in Syria?' He asked how Labour could support US airstrikes in Syria – but not Britain's involvement. Mr McFadden said: 'If it is welcome and right for others, why is not welcome and right for us? 'What is the point in chasing ISIS from Iraq across the barely existing border to Syria?' Sir Menzies said: 'It has been suggested we need a United Nations resolution before we could embark on anything of the kind now proposed in relation to Syria, you have to accept the reality that the prospect of a United Nations Security Council resolution is totally remote. 'Even putting one on the table would be a wholly pointless exercise because of the attitude undoubtedly to be taken by Russia and possibly also by China.' Former defence secretary Liam Fox, Tory MP for North Somerset, added: 'I believe it is a mistake today not to include Syria in the motion. 'There is a clear legal case to attack Isil bases in Syria and I'm afraid sooner or later we are going to have to do it. It would be far better if we had said so explicitly today.' Advertisement

The debate comes amid warnings the RAF has been reduced to the 'bare bones' by defence cuts.

Former head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshall Sir Michael Graydon, said the RAF was at rock bottom after years of cuts.

He said the RAF was already committed to defending UK air space as well as operations in Afghanistan, Nigeria, and the Falklands.

'The lack of combat aircraft is a major weakness,' he said. 'This has been raised time and time again and basically ignored. We really are at rock bottom. To sustain this operation is going to be quite a stretch.'

Air Commodore Andrew Lambert added: 'I think it's do-able, but we are really scraping the bottom of the barrel, so let's hope Ukraine doesn't bubble up into something nasty.'

But Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond denied the use of only six aircraft suggested Britain was not fully committed to the operation.

'We are not contributing in a half-hearted manner,' the Foreign Secretary said. 'There are many aspects to this campaign, it isn't just about airstrikes.

'It's about a much broader package of support for countries in the region to deal with this emerging threat.

'And we won't defeat ISIL with military action alone. We have to defeat it through an intelligent, political approach as well - cutting off the financial flows, the flows of foreign fighters, making sure that people can't get to and from Isil strongholds...and challenging its narrative.'

Mr Cameron was humiliated a year ago when he lost a Commons vote on military action to support rebels seeking to overthrow the Assad regime in Syria.

Number 10 has deliberately taken its time in building consensus on military action.

Mr Cameron will open the debate on this morning, and his deputy Lib Dem Nick Clegg will close it before the vote.

Addressing the UN Security Council in New York this week, Mr Cameron said ISIS had behaved with 'medieval barbarity'.

'One of the most disturbing aspects is how this conflict is sucking in our own young people, from modern, prosperous societies,' the Prime Minister said.

Today's Commons motion stresses that the proposes action is aimed at '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'.

It stresses that the British government 'will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations' and insist that the 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'.

A YouGov poll for the Sun suggested public opinion backed air strikes in Syria as well as Iraq.

The poll showed that 57 per cent of UK residents surveyed say they supported targeting IS in Iraq, up 20 per cent from a similar poll last month, compared to 24 per cent who were against the move, while 51 per cent gave their backing to strikes on ISIS positions in Syria, against 26 per cent who said no.

And some 43 per cent said they would either want to see the US and UK send in ground troops to Iraq, or at least keep the option open, while 32 per cent disagreed.

Mr Hammond insisted action in Syria could not be ruled out in future.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The US is already carrying out operations in Syria. Whether we also go into Syria in the future is another question. At the moment, we want to join in air strikes in Iraq.

Armed police patrol the streets outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, as MPs debate the military response to the terror threat posed by ISIS

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY WELBY BACKS ACTION IN IRAQ Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby gave his backing to action in Iraq The Archbishop of Canterbury today backed British air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq. The Most Rev Justin Welby told a packed House of Lords: 'The action proposed today is right.' But he warned: 'We must not rely on a short term solution, on a narrow front, to a global, ideological, religious, holistic and trans-generational challenge. 'We must demonstrate that there is a positive vision far greater and more compelling than the evil of Isil ... 'Such a vision offers us and the world hope - an assurance of success in this struggle - not the endless threat of darkness.' Advertisement

'We would look at the circumstances at the time and if we felt we were needed to the deliver the outcome we want to see then we would make the case for doing that, if the circumstances were right.

'It is clear the US is in Syria and is able to do so on a legal basis of collective self-defence. That's the legal basis that the US is relying on. It looks robust to me.

'We will get detailed legal advice about that in the specific circumstances of our proposed intervention.

'If we were proposing an intervention in Syria, we would have detailed legal advice from the attorney general about the specific circumstances of a potential intervention in that country, but we're not.

'We're absolutely not ruling anything out, but at the moment what we're proposing is airstrikes in Iraq, and that's what the Commons will debate today.'

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said that if he was in the Commons he would vote against the air strikes, saying the government should 'wait, wait, wait and put together a proper plan'.

He also suggested that the recall of Parliament had been designed to detract attention from UKIP.

He told BBC Radio 4: 'The argument is: if this is that vital why on earth didn't parliament meet yesterday? There was absolutely no earthly reason why it couldn't have met yesterday…

'Well you know the day after Douglas Carswell joined Ukip we were told that Britain has been put on a heightened state of emergency, so listeners can make their own mind up.'

'NIGEL BACKS AIRSTRIKES... HE DOESN'T? I HADN'T CAUGHT UP WITH THAT' UKIP deputy chairman Suzanne Evan was caught out on live TV about whether or not her leader Nigel Farage backed airstrikes A senior UKIP politician was forced into an embarrassing U-turn live on television after she was told she was contradicting Nigel Farage by a reporter. Deputy chairman Suzanne Evans explained why she backed airstrikes in Iraq in an interview on the BBC going against what the party leader had said. But when she was told Mr Farage was against the military action, she immediately backtracked. Seconds after saying the intervention by the British was ‘important’, she questioned ‘is it really necessary?’. In the interview, BBC reporter Robin Brant asked Mrs Evans: ‘On the issue of the day, Nigel Farage said it's time to "wait, wait, wait". He does not support military action, do you agree with him on that?’ She replied: ‘I think he supports the airstrikes and I think it's important. This is a dangerous barbaric death cult that we've got here. ‘We have to deal with it. This is something now that's affecting British people. We've got jihadists from Britain out there, we've got British hostages being killed, we have to ‎take some kind of action.’ Mr Brant interrupted her and said: ‘He said he wouldn't support the vote for these airstrikes in parliament. He's said that repeatedly this morning, he doesn't support the airstrikes. Mrs Evans then responded: ‘OK fine, perhaps I haven't caught up with that. ‘I think the interesting thing here is a question to be asked about why Britain is participating in this. America is there, we've got the five Arab nation that are taking part as well. ‘Is British intervention really necessary? That's a question we need to ask.’ After the European elections in May, Mrs Evans was criticised after she said Ukip had not done as well in London because its populations is ‘more media-savvy and educated’. Advertisement

'They beheaded my dad...ISIS must be eradicated': After daughter of murdered British hostage breaks her silence to plead for terror group to be wiped out, his wife also backs British air strikes

Dragana Haines (pictured) has backed military force against IS extremists but said changes in such societies 'have to come from within'

The widow of murdered British aid worker David Haines has backed military force against Islamic State extremists.

Dragana Haines said the 'tragic event' had changed her life and altered the 'perception of most free thinking people around the world.'

Mrs Haines told Sky News: 'The recent tragic event has changed my life as well as the lives and perception of most free thinking people around the world.

'I do support British military air strikes but limited to distinctive targets. No changes in such societies can be enforced, they have to come from within.'

Her support for air strikes comes after Mr Haines' daughter Bethany called for IS to be 'eradicated.'

David Haines, 44, from Perth in Scotland, had been in Syria working for French aid agency ACTED when he was kidnapped.

His daughter Bethany, 17, has backed the use of military force against the terror group that used her 'truly amazing' father's life to send a grisly warning to its enemies.

She said: 'IS need to be eradicated. They can't continue this way. They can't be doing this to people and get away with it.

'No matter what nationality, if they are Western or not. Hundreds of Syrians have been killed by them. They need to be stopped. If airstrikes and ground force is what it takes, that's what it takes.'

Her comments come as David Cameron held a War Cabinet yesterday on the Government's plan to target Islamist fighters in northern Iraq and received its backing.

MPs will vote around 5pm this evening on a Commons motion authorising British involvement in US-led bombing raids. It means RAF fighter jets could be over Iraq within hours of the vote.

In her exclusive interview with ITV News, Miss Haines also paid tribute to the selflessness of her father, and spoke of her desire to follow him into aid work.

'He wanted to help everyone,' she said.

'It didn't matter what race or religion. Anyone who needed help he was there. Tragically he's lost his life doing what he loved but he wouldn't have stopped.

'Even if he'd come back after this he would've gone out again and again and again. He loved helping people. He was such a bright character. Always making people laugh, telling jokes.

A picture of Bethany with her father (right). She described him as a 'brilliant man'

'He was a brilliant man. And he will remembered like that by everyone who knew him and probably by people who didn't know him.

'He will be remembered and not for the way he was shown in that video, but for the truly amazing work he did and the bright character he was.'

The teenager says her father's fate hasn't put her off helping others.

She said: ' I'm hoping to do some aid work after next year and do a bit of work with a charity. Hopefully it will spark a career doing that. He'd tell me of all the people he'd helped and I want to do that too.'

WE'VE GOT AN ID FOR JIHADI JOHN, CLAIMS THE FBI The United States believes it has identified 'Jihadi John', the British-accented Islamic State militant, pictured, who was filmed apparently beheading two American journalists and a British aid worker. James Comey, director of the FBI, made the announcement yesterday but said he would not reveal the man's name. His comments represent the first time that officials on either side of the Atlantic have claimed publicly to know his identity. Asked if he would make capturing the jihadist a priority, Mr Comey said: 'We will do and expend the effort that I think the American people would want us to and expect us to.' Mr Comey said the US was also working hard to identify two other suspects in the IS videos who appear to have either American or Canadian accents. It is likely the terrorist's name and background are being kept quiet so as not to jeopardise any hostage rescue operation. It is believed he is situated close to where IS is holding its remaining hostages, including Alan Henning, a 47-year-old taxi driver from Manchester. Mr Comey refused to be drawn on whether the jihadist actually killed US journalists James Foley, Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines, or whether they might have been executed by someone else off-camera. Experts believe the videos could have been edited. The British Government refused to say whether the US had shared its findings with them. 'We won't be commenting on matters of security at this stage,' a Home Office spokesman said last night. Advertisement

Mr Cameron made clear that opposition from the Labour party meant today's debate was narrowly focussed on Iraq.

He said there was a 'strong case' for UK action in Syria but he 'did not want to bring motion to the House that there wasn't consensus for'.

He backed the US-led air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria, but no British action can be taken there without a further debate and vote at Westminster.

'I do believe there is a strong case for us to do more in Syria but I did not want to bring a motion to the House today which there wasn't consensus for,' he said

'It's better if our country can proceed on the basis of consensus.'

He added that he did not believe there was a 'legal barrier' to action in Syria but he acknowledged the situation there was 'more complicated' than in Iraq because of the civil war and the position of President Assad.

Most Conservative and Lib Dem MPs are expected to back military action in Iraq, but some Labour MPs are likely to defy Mr Miliband's support to vote against it.

Mr Miliband told MPs he was supporting the government motion for air strikes against ISIS in Iraq.

He said: ' Let us be clear at the outset what is the proposition: air strikes against ISIL in Iraq.