Alex Salmond: UN mandate needed for Syria air strikes

Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said a United Nations mandate would be a precondition of SNP support for the UK extending its military action against IS in to Syria.

Mr Salmond, who is Foreign Affairs spokesman for his party at Westminster, told the Daily Politics programme: "The reason for a UN resolution being a precondition, not just of this conflict but of the SNP's approach to many conflicts, is without that resolution you can't bring about peace."

The former SNP leader was speaking after his successor, Nicola Sturgeon, told the BBC she was "prepared to listen" to the case for air strikes.

The position of SNP MPs could be crucial if a Commons vote is held on a fresh campaign.