YORK area MPs have backed the parliamentary investigations into the controversy over war with Iraq.

Doubt over the dossier published by Downing Street to make the case for war with Iraq has led to calls for a full and independent public inquiry.

One of the key claims said to have been exaggerated was that weapons of mass destruction (WMD) could be deployed by Iraq within 45 minutes of the order being given.

Vale of York MP Ann Mcintosh supported calls for an independent inquiry.

She said: "We should have a full disclosure to the House, we want the dossier published, and I fully support the line taken by Iain Duncan Smith calling for all the facts to be shared."

But Hugh Bayley, Labour MP for York, claimed "there is nothing more independent than Members of Parliament".

He said the foreign affairs select committee, carrying out the Iraqi inquiry with the intelligence and security committee, had made strong criticisms of the Government in the past.

Mr Bayley, who voted in favour of war, said he did not feel duped by Prime Minister Tony Blair, despite Mr Blair basing his case for war on the threat from Iraq's WMD, none of which have yet been found.

He then called for the humanitarian programme in Iraq to be followed through and completed.

Mr Bayley said: "If we fail to improve conditions for the Iraqi people we have failed to justify the intervention."

He declined to comment on claims by John Reid, Leader of the House of Commons, that the allegations were the result of an intelligence agency plot to destabilise the Government.

Selby's Labour MP John Grogan also said the allegations should be investigated by the parliamentary committees. He said: "I expect the Government to co-operate fully with the two parliamentary committees, whose membership includes a number of independent-minded MPs. The proper thing to do is wait for the result of these inquiries."

Ryedale Tory MP John Greenway was satisfied parliament could carry out the inquiries - despite Mr Duncan Smith's call for an independent inquiry.

He backed Mr Blair's belief that Iraq was armed with WMD. Mr Greenway said: "There is no doubt over the Prime Minister's sincerity. However, the various allegations that have been made do raise questions about the accuracy of the intelligence reports."

Updated: 10:17 Thursday, June 05, 2003