David Cameron refuses to apologise for calling opponents to bombing Syria “terrorist sympathisers“

As the Syria air strikes debate kicked off in parliament, MPs called on the Prime Minister to apologise for his incendiary comment.

By Anoosh Chakelian

David Cameron began the debate in the Commons about whether the UK should carry out air strikes in Syria by saying he “respects people who disagree” with his support for bombing.

This comment appeared to be in response to some remarks he made to his own MPs, leaked yesterday, saying they should not vote with “terrorist sympathisers” on the other side of the debate. He told the 1922 Committee, the Tory backbench group: “You should not be walking through the lobbies with Jeremy Corbyn and a bunch of terrorist sympathisers.”