RAF to begin Syria bombing after MPs back air strikes

Britain is "safer tonight" after MPs overwhelmingly backed military action against Islamic State in Syria, Philip Hammond has said.

RAF jets and drones will carry out air strikes on the jihadist terror group "as quickly as possible", the Foreign Secretary said.

MPs voted by 397 to 223 in favour of extending British action to quash IS from Iraq into its Syrian strongholds - a majority of 174.

Mr Hammond told Sky News: "We are very pleased that a significant number of Labour MPs have voted with the Government tonight so we have got a clear majority across the House of Commons in support of the action that we are now going to be taking to degrade this evil terrorist organisation.

"Britain is safer tonight because of the decision that the House of Commons has taken."

Mr Hammond said air strikes would now be carried out "as quickly as possible".