Twelve Labour councillors in Brighton and Hove today issued a statement saying they are against an attack on Iraq.

The dozen have defied their national Party line, saying they are committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

They add: "We do not accept that there is sufficient evidence for a pre-emptive strike on Iraq.

"We note that Saddam Hussein, however reluctantly, is complying with the United Nations resolution and that world opinion is against such an attack.

"We wish to avoid causing further suffering to the Iraqi people, destabilisation of the whole area and the possibility of increased terrorism.

"We are therefore calling on the government to disengage from President Bush's policy of pre-emptive military action in order to follow a policy of weapons inspection and containment."

The statement has been faxed to the Prime Minister's office.

The councillors are: Linda Austin, John Ballance, Simon Charleton, Joyce Edmond-Smith, Brian Fitch, Heather James, Mo Marsh, Juliet McCaffery, Pat Murphy, John Newington, Catherine Shelley and Francis Tonks.

Another Labour councillor, Kevin Allen, today applauded the resignation of Robin Cook from the Cabinet on a matter of principle.

He added: "'I believe the inspectors should have been given more time. Military intervention without express UN approval is wrong."

Iraq latest: iraq.usatoday.com