MP stands by his Iraq war resignation pledge

And he says the only reason the USA is not at war now with Iraq is because of the intervention of Prime Minister Tony Blair.

His stance came as the rebellion against war in Iraq hardened with Clare Short, International Development Secretary, at the weekend threatening resignation if Prime Minister Tony Blair sanctioned military action against Iraq without a second UN resolution.

As the threat of war grew imminent, Mr Foster's name appeared in lists at the weekend in the national press as among those who are threatening resignation from the Government.

The Hastings and Rye MP, who has held the post of Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Attorney General for four years, said: "In many ways I have become clearer in my mind."

He made the point: that he was talking exclusively to the Observer because "I think that my own constituents are entitled to know what my view is - Saddam is an evil dictator and it would be well to get rid of him but we must follow the law in that it is not a self defence argument, it is whether the view of the international community has been thwarted. I believe it has and it is for the UN to decide and that's the only road I can support."

Mr Foster went on: "I believe Tony Blair is sincere in his beliefs. I still hope that his support is for the reasons I believe to be right - to keep the USA in the UN is the only possible means of avoiding a military conflict. It may fail but if it were not for Tony Blair we would already be in that conflict."

The MP, who voted with the Government two weeks ago on war in Iraq when 122 Labour MPs rebelled against the PM, said: "The USA, if they had not been brought to the UN would be in military conflict with Iraq.

"I could not support it unless the UN unequivocally states that it can now be the right action. I have no sympathy for Saddam. I think the case is made up but against that because of the UN we are now seeing some very small progress."

Every step towards disarming Saddam Hussein was important, he said.

The MP's comments this week followed Friday's demo on the doorstep of his office at the local Labour Party HQ in Bohemia Road.

As pouring rain and strong winds hit the small number of protesters from the newly formed peace group Hastings Against War, the MP talked to them in the street and then invited them in for coffee.

He said: "I think they saw my point. It's quite right and proper that people should display humanity by seeking to avoid war but it is only a matter of means. Abandoning the US is a sure way of achieving war. I am against war. I believe Tony Blair is against war. We are talking about means."

PICTURED: a sombre Michael Foster talks with demonstrators outside Labour HQ last Friday.