ILKLEY MP John Grogan says a "dangerous precedent" has been set following Britain's involvement at the weekend in the air and missile strikes on Syria.

The US, UK and France carried out the action in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack the previous weekend.

According to the US, it and its allies struck three targets – a research facility in Damascus and storage facilities near Homs.

The Syrian government, which denies using chemical weapons, called the strikes a flagrant violation of international law.

Mr Grogan says: "I think it is a dangerous precedent that British armed forces have been in action and put at risk without a vote in Parliament.

"We should have been recalled on Friday and a vote taken. This is particularly the case given the doubt about the legal basis for the action.

"I have no time at all for President Assad, whose regime it seems clear was behind the recent chemical attacks on his own people. Ultimately he is reliant on his backer, President Putin.

"For me, the most likely route to a messy peace in Syria is not further air strikes – which risk widening the conflict – but rather tightening further the economic sanctions on Russia, which are beginning to bite hard on those close to the president. Ultimately, this is what is likely to force them to the negotiating table."