Britain's relationship with France plummeted yesterday after the prime minister's spokesman accused Paris of "poisoning" the diplomatic process aimed at averting military action.

Foreign secretary Jack Straw joined the attacks, saying that he found France's behaviour "extraordinary".

Earlier, the prime minister had held a breakfast meeting with Iain Duncan Smith.

The Conservative leader emerged from Number 10 to tell the waiting reporters that a second resolution was looking "less likely".

In a sign that Washington's hawks are rapidly running out of patience with diplomacy, today's Telegraph quotes one senior Bush administration official as saying: "Blair is hurting himself by dragging this out."

"It's not for Americans to tell British politicians how to behave. But what is he getting out of this? He should just stand up and say, 'We're ready to go'."

At yesterday's Cabinet, the first since the international development secretary accused Tony Blair of "recklessness", ministers held a 40 minute discussion on the crisis.

And Robin Cook indicated that he will join Clare Short in resigning from the government if Britain attacks Iraq without a second resolution from the United Nations.

Cook stressed the importance of MPs being allowed a vote before conflict began, and said he was prepared to consider a recall of parliament over the weekend if necessary. He hinted during his weekly Commons business statement that he would also consider tabling time for resignation statements by ministers.