Tony Blair said that it would be “profoundly irresponsible” for western governments to allow Isis to control swathes of Libya, as well as strongholds in Iraq and Syria

British troops should be deployed to take part in a “proper ground war” against Islamic State terrorists, Tony Blair says.

The former prime minister said that it would be “profoundly irresponsible” for western governments to allow Isis to control swathes of Libya, as well as strongholds in Iraq and Syria. He added that British troops should provide back-up for local forces taking on militants.

He also admitted that he had profoundly underestimated the “poisonous forces” that were unleashed by toppling Saddam Hussein in Iraq. His admission comes weeks before the release of the Chilcot report, which is expected to be critical of Mr Blair’s handling of the decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Speaking in London yesterday, Mr Blair said that