David Ruffley said: 'I have signed a new Early Day Motion together with MPs from several other parties. It requests that the Speaker of the House of Commons be given the power to recall the House at any time to debate possible military action against Iraq.

It is essential that there is an open parliamentary debate on any move to war and the motion I have signed gives the Speaker, who is independent, the power to make this happen- rather than leave it to the Prime Minister. This will be an important safeguard for democracy, in my view.'