Tony Blair met with the United Nations' special envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, yesterday to discuss the situation in the country.

Number 10 said the two men had discussed "ideas for the way forward".

Meanwhile, debate over the validity of the Mirror's photographs apparently showing the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by UK troops has continued.

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into the claims, but some military sources are reported to believe the images are a hoax.