YORK MP Hugh Bayley has spoken of his "enormously difficult decision" in voting in favour of Britain's attack on Iraq.

Mr Bayley revealed his concerns during the build-up to war in a Question Time-style debate held by York Against The War.

He was given a rocky ride by anti-war protesters during a two-hour debate on the war, the reconstruction of Iraq and the United Nations at the Priory Street Centre last night.

Mr Bayley was joined on a four-strong panel by Andrew Waller, City of York Council's deputy leader, Lindsay German, convenor for the Stop The War Coalition, and Mohammed el-Gonati, a professor at University of York.

Mr Bayley was asked whether he would have changed his vote on the country's participation in war if he had been aware of the evidence as it currently stands.

Mr Bayley said: "It was a very difficult, an enormously difficult decision. I believe it was the right thing to do. I do believe there are occasions when force is necessary to stop evil being done."

This did not find favour with many in the predominantly anti-war audience, but the tone of the discussion caused one elderly lady to leave in protest after telling the panel: "I am deeply hurt by the way things are being discussed. These soldiers serve to protect our country from dictatorship."

Mr Bayley also told the 70-strong audience that he had received more than 600 letters from constituents on Iraq - with only about 50 supporting the Government's position.

Updated: 12:21 Saturday, July 19, 2003