Senior ministers yesterday lined up to attack Robin Cook after he renewed his criticism of the war against Iraq.

The former leader of the House of Commons said events in the Middle East were not going according to plan, with the war set to last longer than initial expectations.

Writing in the Sunday Mirror, he attacked President Bush for launching the conflict from "the comfort of Camp David".

"I have already had my fill of this bloody and unnecessary war," Cook wrote.

"I want our troops home and I want them home before more of them are killed."

But Labour Party chairman John Reid said the comments risked "undermining" the confidence of the Iraqi people that Saddam Hussein would be removed from power.

David Blunkett accused Cook of wanting to see a British "capitulation". "I think those who take the view that Robin Cook has enunciated in his article today are mistaken," the home secretary said.

After the barrage of criticism, Cook later clarified his position, saying he wanted to see a swift victory for American and British forces.

The Guardian reports anger that the apparent about turn was Cook's equivalent of "doing a Clare Short".

Former armed forces minister Doug Henderson has also warned of the campaign becoming "another Vietnam".