BOLTON MP David Crausby was among a handful of senior MPs to receive a confidential briefing about terrorism from Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr Crausby, who has sat on the defence select committee since the last General Election, was one of 30 backbench MPs from all parties summoned to Downing Street to hear Mr Blair's views on Britain's role in combating terrorism following the American attacks two weeks ago.

MPs called the briefing "unprecedented and very useful" as he outlined the talks he had on his recent trip to Washington and what the next steps in the international crisis will be.

In a confidential, off-the-record briefing yesterday, Mr Blair divulged some of the intelligence which backs up American and British claims that Osama Bin Laden is the prime suspect responsible for the US outrage in which up to 7,000 people died.

Mr Crausby (Bolton North East) told the BEN that before the meeting he had some concerns about ensuring Bin Laden is the right suspect and that any action taken should seek to minimise civilian casualties.

"The thing that came across to me was that they think it should be a targeted response and the action to be taken is not finalised," said Mr Crausby. "I am not so sure that any action is imminent."

Mr Crausby said he and the other MPs present were reassured by the Prime Minister's words during their 90-minute meeting.

Mr Blair had emphasised the seriousness of the situation by comparing the 7,000 lives lost in one day in New York and Washington with the 20,000 people killed in the London blitz during the Second World War.