Iain Duncan Smith repeated his hard line on Iraq

Speaking at the Scottish party's conference in Glasgow, he said the Iraqi leader is "an evil tyrant" who must not be given more time.

He also launched a savage attack on the Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy for performing, what he said, were multiple u-turns on the use of force.

The speech is likely to be Mr Duncan Smith's last major address to the party faithful north of the border before the elections to the Scottish Parliament on 1 May.

The under-fire Tory leader was just minutes into his speech at Glasgow University when he turned his attention to Iraq.

Let us also remember that Saddam, Hussein has the means, the mentality and the motive to cause just as much harm to people in this country through his weapons of mass destruction Iain Duncan Smith MP, Conservative Party leader

He told delegates that it was an honour for him to visit British troops in Kuwait last week where he met old colleagues from the Scots Guards.

Mr Duncan Smith said morale is good but criticised the government for not providing the armed forces with the equipment that they need.

"I have absolutely no doubt, that should they be called upon to act, which because of the continued evasions of Saddam Hussein is increasingly likely, then our troops will do the professional job, the brave job, that we all expect them too and know they will," he said.

Turning his attention to the Iraqi leader, Mr Duncan Smith said he was a very real danger to the British people.

"I believe Saddam Hussein is an evil tyrant who inflicts pain and suffering on his own people," he said.

Danger to Britain

"He stands in breach of many of the United Nations resolutions calling on him to disarm."

The Conservative leader said 17 resolutions had already been passed against the Iraqi regime and warned that he was a danger to the British people.

"Let us also remember that Saddam, Hussein has the means, the mentality and the motive to cause just as much harm to people in this country through his weapons of mass destruction," he said.

Charles Kennedy came under fire from the Tory leader

"That's biological, chemical and nuclear weapons and the arsenal that he has built up over the years."

Mr Duncan Smith then told delegates that the Conservatives would never play "the games that the Liberal Democrats play".

In a clear swipe at Charles Kennedy, he said they "chase the tide of shifting public opinion like children on the beach".

Then, personalising his attack, he accused Mr Kennedy "at one and the same time" of changing his stance on "the UN route", American involvement and the need for war itself.

He asked: "Which way do you face now Charles Kennedy, which way will you face when we have to go to war?"

The part of Mr Duncan Smith's speech devoted to Iraq, ended with a message to British troops, which he referred to as "the greatest forces in the world".

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with you and your families," he said.