NORTH Thanet MP Roger Gale is pushing for the recall of Parliament to debate the protection available to British civilian nationals currently in Iraq.

He described it as “an issue that is causing the greatest possible concern” and he said the public would expect the Government to fully discuss “what may be done to encourage those whose presence is not absolutely vital to return home".

Mr Gale also wants immediate action to see what level of protection, including military bodyguards, can be given to those whose presence is vital to the peace process.

He said that instead of gathering by the seaside to discuss tactics at party conferences, it is far more important to get back to Westminster and discuss a major damage limitation exercise.

He stressed: “Those that I have spoken to in my own constituency believe that that is what we should be doing swiftly."