CITY MP Mike Foster is backing Tony Blair in the face of a growing rebellion over war against Iraq.

He said it showed the "responsible side of an international socialist party".

The Labour MP has watched his fellow Ministerial aides threaten to resign from the Government if Britain takes military action without United Nations backing.

One Parliamentary Private Secretary has already quit - with up to nine others warning they could follow suit.

Mr Blair has also come under blistering attack from Clare Short, who accused him of being "extraordinarily reckless".

The International Development Secretary also threatened to stand down - but Mr Foster said he had no intention of quitting.

He said his colleagues had been sucked into talking about a hypothetical situation of what would happen if military action was taken without a resolution - while the Government was working flat out to get one.

Mr Foster, PPS to Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge, told the Evening News: "Anyone who takes this issue seriously would not answer hypothetical questions.

"I believe the UN route is the preferred route and I always have done.

"But I have also always accepted there are circumstances where military action may be needed without a second resolution.

"This was true when Britain intervened in Kosovo, with the Russians having vetoes the resolution.

"Britain intervened and saved, arguably, hundreds of thousands of Muslims from death. That is the responsible side of an international socialist party that does not look for war but accepts reluctantly that sometimes it is necessary."

Mr Blair is facing a growing crisis with the deadline for Saddam Hussein to disarm set for March 17. He is working tirelessly to win over doubters on the United Nations Security Council.

But Russia, France and China show no signs of being willing to support the crucial second resolution.

Downing Street reacted with fury to Ms Short's intervention, in which she said she could not "stay and defend the indefensible".

She added: "The whole atmosphere of the current situation is deeply reckless - reckless for the world, reckless for the undermining of the UN in this disorderly world, reckless with our government, reckless with his own future, position and place in history."

Earlier on Sunday, Loughborough MP Andy Reed announced he was quitting as parliamentary aide to environment secretary Margaret Beckett.

What do you think about a possible war? Tell us your views by writing to: Voice of Worcester, Worcester Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX, or emailing: letters@thisisworcester.co.uk

War could be only option - Bishop

THE Bishop of Hereford has spoken out in support of war on Iraq - after the conflict was condemned by vicars and bishops across the country.

The Right Reverend John Oliver said war may be the only option left to fight Saddam Hussein's tyrannical regime - and that opponents of war with Iraq were being "naive and simplistic".

The 68-year-old announced his retirement, at the Hereford Diocese Synod on Saturday.

Two weeks ago, the General Synod voted heavily against hostilities unless sanctioned by international law through the UN.

Bishop John said the country faced a moral dilemma, but anti-war protesters were allowing Saddam Hussein to continue with his regime.

"To go to war is not a virtuous act," he told the synod. "Indeed, it is a deeply shameful thing that anyone should be brought to this last desperate resort.

"But not going to war is not a virtuous course of action either. It would, as I have tried to make plain, be deeply damaging to the reputation of the United Nations and very unpleasant indeed for the Iraqi people.

"There has been a great deal of simplistic and nave support for the 'stop the war' campaign, by people who cannot have thought through the implications of what they are saying, apart from the fact that it has given considerable comfort to the tyrant in Iraq.

"There has been too little reference to the urgent need to maintain food supplies to the already half-starved Iraqi people."

Peace campaigners in Hereford have criticised the Bishop for his comments and held a vigil outside Hereford Cathedral on Sunday in protest.

"I am disgusted that a so-called Christian can say that he approves of the slaughter of innocent women and children, in a war that is clearly about western business interests," said peace campaigner Joss Garman.

"I am amazed the Bishop is swallowing the pro-war propaganda that is flying around."

Bishop John, who is the environment and rural issues spokesman for the Church of England in the House of Lords, told the meeting that he planned to retire this November.

It follows the tragic death of his 31-year-old daughter Mary last October.