Labour: Give UN experts more time

Labour will oppose the Government's motion on Syria in the Commons on Thursday unless an amendment calling for the United Nations inspectors to be given time to report on the use of chemical weapons is passed.

The decision by Ed Miliband will put pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron, who already faces a potential rebellion from some of his own backbenchers who remain to be convinced about the need for UK intervention.

A senior Labour source said the conflict in Syria had been going on for two-and-a-half years and weapons inspectors should be allowed the few days necessary to compile their report.

MPs have been recalled to the Commons to vote on the response that should be taken to the use of chemical weapons on the outskirts of Syrian capital Damascus, which the West has blamed on president Bashar Assad's regime.