Jack McConnell: "Cool heads needed"

Despite speculation about a revolt among Labour MSPs, a Scottish National Party motion insisting there was "no case for war" was defeated in its original form.

A diluted version was passed by 68 votes to 53 with four abstentions after a three-hour debate.

One of the most outspoken anti-war MSPs, John McAllion, insisted he would continue to fight to reverse the "New Labour revolution".

The SNP used its parliamentary time to call the debate, the third time MSPs had been given the chance to exchange their views in the chamber.

Labour had to rely on Conservative votes to support Tony Blair and George Bush's rush to war without UN backing John Swinney SNP leader

The motion laid down by the nationalists' leader, John Swinney, said the parliament "believes that no case for military action against Iraq has been proven; believes that no United Kingdom forces should take part in any military action without a United Nations mandate that specifically authorises such action".

Pre-emptive action without such a mandate would break international law, it added.

But an amendment was tabled by Labour's Patricia Ferguson which said Saddam Hussein was a danger to the international community, the region and his own people and that Saddam Hussein should co-operate fully with the implementation of UN resolution 1441.

'Calm decisions'

Her amendment was carried, which had the effect of watering down the motion passed by the parliament.

After the vote, Mr McConnell said: "This has been a day for mature debate in the Scottish Parliament - a time for reflecting on a difficult international situation."

He refused to be drawn into publicly responding to Mr McAllion's BBC radio interview earlier in the day in which the left-winger called for New Labour ministers to quit.

John Swinney listens to the debate

"This is a serious, serious time for cool heads, calm decisions and firm, robust, action and attitudes," the first minister added.

Mr Swinney said: "Once again Labour had to rely on Conservative votes to support Tony Blair and George Bush's rush to war without UN backing.

"That is a position totally at odds with the views of the vast majority of the people of Scotland."

John McAllion said he was disappointed that the parliament had basically supported Tony Blair and an imminent attack on Iraq.