Britain would be "perfectly entitled" to use force against Iraq without a UN mandate if Saddam Hussein was seen as a threat, Defence Secretary Mr Geoff Hoon said today.
The Government reserved the right to order a nuclear attack against Iraq if chemical or biological weapons were targeted at British troops or the public, Mr Hoon said.
His remarks appeared to be at odds with those of Cabinet colleague Ms Clare Short, who on Friday insisted any military action against Saddam's regime would require a specific mandate from the UN.
The International Development Secretary, said to have misgivings about the prospect of Prime Minister Tony Blair's support of US strikes against Baghdad, called for a "more sophisticated discussion" about what the options were.
Mr Hoon's tough stance on Iraq was echoed by Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw, who said Saddam had "culpably failed" to comply with his country's international obligations.
The British and US governments had not taken any decisions about military action against Iraq and any move would be within international law, Mr Straw insisted.
But he warned if Baghdad continued to refuse to allow UN weapons inspectors back into the country, then the position in international law may change.
PA