David Cameron set to start countdown to air strikes in Syria

David Cameron is to start the countdown to UK military action in Syria by telling Cabinet colleagues he is recommending a House of Commons vote on Wednesday on air strikes against the Islamic State terror group.

The Prime Minister's decision to call a vote comes after Labour MPs were granted a free vote on military action, paving the way for Mr Cameron to secure the "clear majority" he wants.

In a statement at 10 Downing Street, Mr Cameron said he would put his plan to Cabinet at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had called for the PM to offer MPs a full two days of debate on the floor of the Commons before they decide whether to give the go-ahead to the extension of RAF bombing missions against IS - also known as Isil, Isis and Daesh - from Iraq into Syria. Labour said the vote should not be held until next week at the earliest.

Speaking shortly after his return from the climate summit in Paris, Mr Cameron said: "I can announce that I will be recommending to Cabinet tomorrow that we hold a debate and a vote in the House of Commons to extend the air strikes that we have carried out against Isil in Iraq to Syria, that we answer the call from our allies and work with them because Isil is a threat to our country and this is the right thing to do."