COLNE Valley MP Jason McCartney has backed the Allies’ military action in Libya.

Mr McCartney, a former RAF flight lieutenant, was based in Turkey during the first invasion of Iraq in the early 1990s.

Working as a ground control officer he also spent time in northern Iraq and was involved in planning air raids in a bid to enforce the no fly zone that protected the Kurds from Saddam Hussein’s airforce.

The Tory MP spoke in the House of Commons in response to concerns from constituents about the UK’s involvement in another Middle Eastern conflict.

He said: “After what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan, obviously there’s going to be a lot of public cynicism, fears and worries.

“People are already asking what’s the exit strategy?

“I was absolutely against the conflict in Iraq but this is a very clear UN mandate.

“I think it’s clear lives are being saved as Gaddafi isn’t acting with as much force.”

Mr McCartney said the no fly zone in northern Iraq had lasted for almost a decade but said he had no idea how long the Allies would be involved in Libya.

He added: “We’re still in the very early stages of putting this no fly zone in place which means Gaddafi won’t be able to attack his own people.

“We’ve been removing threats to our aircraft by targeting aircraft defences and radar.

“It’s very important there aren’t any civilian casualties and that we don’t lose any aircraft.