FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw today delivered a blow to campaigners by arguing there was a strong case in favour of the "Son of Star Wars" missile defence shield, which would involve RAF Fylingdales and Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire.

Mr Staw's comments, made in his column for the left-wing weekly Tribune, have been seen at Westminster as paving the way for the Government to give formal approval to the controversial project.

He said Britain's experience as a target of the first German V1 and V2 rockets in the Second World War should "give pause for thought" and underline the value of an anti-missile network.

Mr Straw added: "Russia is no longer an enemy. However, a threat could emerge from other states such as Iraq and North Korea. Other countries are developing worrying capabilities, such as Iran and Libya. They are devoting substantial resources to this. We have to work on the basis that they are doing so for a purpose - with the aim of influencing others by threatening their use in extremis, of using them."

Background on Son of Star Wars

Updated: 11:22 Friday, July 27, 2001