A BOLTON MP has warned that any United States attack on Iraq would have "little justification" and could increase support for extremists.

Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South-east, said that he backed the US war on terrorism, but warned that attempts to topple Saddam Hussein using force would only boost anti-American feeling.

Dr Iddon is the latest Labour MP to express reservations over British support for a US-led war against Iraq.

He said he would change his mind only if Prime Minister Tony Blair or President George Bush were able to produce hard evidence that Saddam was a definite threat to world security. But he said that even then Britain should not take action, but should leave the war to America.

He said: "This is a totally different set of circumstances to the Gulf War. At that time Iraq had just invaded Kuwait so there was obvious justification for strikes.

"But I am now calling for a more cautious, non-conflict approach. We have to put pressure on Saddam Hussein to allow UN weapons inspectors into his country again.

"There has to be evidence that Saddam poses a danger. If he is preparing a nuclear missile or has created devastating chemical or biological weaponry then that is the sort of evidence MPs would like to see."

Dr Iddon supported the Anglo-American attacks on Afghanistan, believing there was enough justification for a war in the Middle East country, but he opposes any attempt by Mr Blair to push for involvement in Iraq.

He said: "I have spoken to experts convinced the no-fly zones in the north and south of the country and the spy satellites monitoring Iraq make it impossible for Saddam to create chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

"I urge great caution over this whole issue."