A Tory MP who served in the Gulf has warned that the army's medical services could fail to cope with the large number of Allied casualties a war with Iraq could bring.

Dr Andrew Murrison, who served as a surgeon commander in the Royal Navy, said that the defence medical service "is in a truly dreadful state at the moment".

"One concern I do have is our ability to put together the necessary medical support to sustain whatever action the government decides ultimately to take in the Middle East," he told ePolitix.com.

The Westbury MP, who may himself be called up to serve in the frontline, also warned that the casualty count could be "a lot worse" this time around.

"I was serving in 1991 and I was pleasantly surprised that the casualty list was as short as it was. I remember thinking at the time 'my word we have got away lightly' when you bear in mind what could have happened," he said.

"We cannot be certain that we would get off as lightly - if I can put it in such flippant terms - a second time.

"Of course in 1991 we didn't have a mandate to do anything more than liberate Kuwait and that's what we did.

"I think if we were to press further towards Baghdad we're into urban warfare, not just desert warfare, with all the casualties both military and civilian that is likely to bring."

"Also I think Saddam would find himself with his back up against the wall."

Murrison said that "like any cornered individual" the Iraqi dictator would "fight like fury, I suspect, and use everything that he has".

"That potentially opens a whole Pandora's box and I am very worried," he added.

"You also need to bear in mind the numbers being deployed this time are truly huge so it follows that a larger action is expected than we had in 1991. That brings with it the potential for greater casualties.

"People shouldn't look at 1991 and think 'oh well we came away with relatively few casualties' because we can't assume that's going to be the case again. My fear is that it will be a lot worse."

Murrison also said that another Gulf war could spiral into a conflict beyond government expectations and has the potential to be worse than the Falklands.

"Once you start this kind of thing you can't just put it all back in the box. You are setting in train events over which you have some control but not complete," he said.

"That's the worry and you have to factor that into your decision-making process before you commit the forces in the way the government is proposing."

Murrison urged the government to "take the longer view" over military action and give UN inspector Hans Blix more time if he asked for it.

"Unless the is evidence of a clear and imminent danger of Iraq deploying its weapons of mass destruction or stronger links are demonstrated with organisations of the sort that are likely to cause a repetition of September 11 then I think we have to take a longer view," he said.

He also claimed many members of the armed forces wanted a clear mandate from MPs with a Commons vote if action was to go ahead.

"From what I hear our troops would expect it. The word 'on the street' is that many members of our armed forces are a little uneasy at what's going on and would be strengthened by evidence that they had the full and unequivocal backing of the House of Commons," he said.

Murrison admits he is likely to be called up which would create unique circumstances.

"Having left the Navy within the past five years I am legally open to be called up," he said.

"It obviously puts me in a very difficult position. My job here is to represent my constituents and they would be concerned if I was absent for a protracted period of time.

"I think if I was able to help out in the recess for example then I would be very happy to do so. But it would be very difficult and a judgement would have to be made into the circumstances if such a recall were attempted whilst the House was sitting."