Emma Reynolds MP hits back at Ken Livingstone's 'pro-war' comment

Responding to a call from Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds for a free vote to recognise 'divergent views' within the party, the former London mayor tweeted: "If pro-war MPs want to support a war they should accept that there is a whip and decide whether to break it."

Ms Reynolds said his comments were wide of the mark. "Ken Livingstone has accused me of being pro-war," she said.

"He is wrong. I am neither pro-war nor anti-war. I think there should be a free vote in the party on Syria given the divergent views that clearly exist."

She added: "I am open minded regarding any action but I will want to read the details of any proposal put forward by the Government.

"Any decision must involve a broader political and deeper strategy to bring stability to Syria."

Her comments came as other Labour MPs in the region urged caution over the Prime Minister's plans for Britain to extend airstrikes against Islamic State targets.

This week David Cameron said it was his 'firm conviction' that Britain should extend its airstrikes against Islamic State targets from Iraq to Syria.

He told parliament that the Paris attacks had shown the UK is up against a 'direct and growing' threat. He has indicated his intention to win a Parliamentary vote on Syrian intervention by Christmas.

Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said he was keen to see the final proposal before committing to any action.

"After what has happened with past interventions I understand the need for careful thinking over this issue," he said.

"I believe that with the threat we face we should be informed by the past but not imprisoned by it."

Walsall North MP David Winnick said he is 'not persuaded at this stage' that there is a strong case for extending airstrikes.

"This is an extremely complex debate over which the House is understandably divided," he added. "I can understand the feeling that we should be doing something to deal with the issue.

"We need to see more detail, but if I feel increasing airstrikes would be effective in harming ISIS than I might be open to persuasion."

Ian Austin, Labour MP for Dudley North, said: "Sending British forces into action is the most important decision Parliament ever has to take, so I will be looking at the Prime Minister's proposals and listening to local people's views very carefully.

"Military action carries huge consequences, so I will be scrutinising any plans to make sure they are legal and proportionate."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is firmly opposed to military intervention. At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday he said a crucial way to defeat Isis would be to to cut its funding, its supply of arms and its trade.