The government will today bring forward a revised UN resolution setting a new deadline and new tests for Iraqi disarmament.

It comes as Tony Blair faces a growing crisis both on the domestic and international front.

International development secretary Clare Short was disowned by Labour's high command after she launched a broadside against the prime minister.

Short kept her job - but is widely tipped to face dismissal for her "act of treachery" unless she jumps before she is pushed.

Speaking last night, the prime minister still hoped that the UN Security Council would support his latest draft resolution.

Before being slow-hand clapped by a studio audience in Downing Street, Blair said the UK "was in discussion with other countries" in order to achieve a second resolution.

But the proposal has already been dealt a severe blow with a warning that France and Russia will veto any moves which could lead to war.

In a direct warning to Britain and the US, Jacques Chirac took to the French airwaves to warn that backing war would "set a dangerous precedent".

The announcement came as UN secretary general Kofi Annan warned that war without a second resolution could be illegal.

The US yesterday repeated its belief that resolution 1441 could be relied upon to mount war.