17:17

British ships and helicopters have been placed on standby in the Middle East in case there is a further military escalation of the Iran crisis, the defence minister told MPs in the Commons.

Ben Wallace said the UK had taken “urgent measures” to protect British nationals and interests in Iraq and other nearby countries should Iran retaliate after the assassination of Suleimani.

The cabinet minister said it was necessary to “change the readiness of our forces”, which include an estimated 400 troops in Iraq, and two warships, the HMS Montrose and the HMS Defender in the Persian Gulf.