Military commanders are planning to send extra British troops to Iraq before the elections in January.

In his final interview after six months as the second-in-command of the coalition forces Lieutenant-General John McColl told the Times that talks between British and American commanders on reinforcements were still at the stage of contingency planning.

Meanwhile, ministers are set to confirm in a Commons announcement today that a battalion of the Black Watch regiment will be transferred to south of Baghdad.

Britain now has about 8,500 military personnel in Iraq, but only 7,400 are ground troops.

Under the contingency plans, a minimum of one battalion of about 650 troops would be sent to southern Iraq if commanders on the ground felt it necessary to increase numbers during the election.

The Guardian warns that the prime minister is "testing the patience" of loyal Labour backbenchers.