PM calls Corbyn 'terrorist sympathiser' ahead of Syria vote

David Cameron has urged Conservative MPs to take a stand against terror as parliament prepares for a vote on launching airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria.

But the Prime Minister still faces some opposition, not least from Labour's Jeremy Corbyn and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

ITV News Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship reports:

The disagreements that seem widespread throughout parliament over Syria appear to be most divisive within the Labour Party.

But it's not the first time party activists have clashed with MPs and the leadership.

ITV News Political Correspondent Emily Morgan explains:

The British public is turning against airstrikes with less than half now backing David Cameron's plans to join military action in Syria, a new poll suggests.

The proportion of people in favour of strikes has slumped from 59 per cent to 48 per cent, according to a YouGov survey for The Times newspaper.

Meanwhile, those who said they were against the action rose to 31 per cent from an earlier figure of 20 per cent.

The number of those undecided remained steady at 21 per cent.

Although the figures show that a growing number of people agree with Jeremy Corbyn, who has argued strongly against airstrikes, it is not translating into a boost in support for the Labour leader.

Just 24 per cent judged him to be performing well, down from 30 per cent a week earlier, the poll found.

David Cameron has appealed to Conservative MPs to help him gain an overall majority in parliament in favour of military action in Syria by warning them against voting alongside "Jeremy Corbyn and a bunch of terrorist sympathisers".

The Guardian reports that the Prime Minister told a meeting of the 1922 Committee that he needed to win a vote on the basis of Tory support to secure a clear consensus.

Mr Cameron reportedly told the committee:

• More: PM urges MPs 'across all parties' to support Syria airstrikes

The Liberal Democrats - who have eight MPs - will vote in favour of air strikes against Islamic State in Syria.

Former party leader Nick Clegg told Sky News that his judgement and that of current leader Tim Farron that "on balance, it is better to take action rather than pursue a course of inaction".

RAF pilots and ground crew are on standby at a base Cyprus to launch airstrikes in Syria if tomorrow's vote is passed.

RAF Akrotiri is already being used for round-the-clock missions against so-called Islamic State targets in Iraq - which could now be extended to strike in Syrian airspace.

ITV News Correspondent Emma Murphy reports from Cyprus:

Members of Britain's Syrian community have mixed opinions about extending the war against the self-styled Islamic State.

Some fear the bombing will not make Britain safer - and will kill civilians in Syria.

Others say that defeating President Assad - whose ongoing brutality has killed many thousands - is just as important.

ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman reports from Manchester:

Stop The War protesters are gathering for a demonstration in Parliament Square to demonstrate against tomorrow's House of Commons vote on airstrikes in Syria.

Earlier today, the pacifist protest group urged supporters to gather at the square in an effort to urge MPs to vote against military action against so-called Islamic State targets in Syria.