Labour rebel Alice Mahon

Left-wing Labour backbenchers have called on ministers to scrap the Easter break for MPs.

The Campaign Group of Labour backbenchers is calling on the government to abandon the Easter recess because of the war in Iraq.

They argue that the House of Commons should sit through the recess so that MPs can be kept informed of the fast-moving situation.

So far six backbenchers have signed an Early Day Motion supporting the suspension although all are likely to be branded as "usual suspects" by parliamentary business managers.

John McDonnell, Alice Mahon, Jeremy Corbyn, John Cryer, Austin Mitchell and Robert Wareing put their names to the motion arguing that "the war in Iraq is entering a critical phase and therefore believes that the House should continue to sit through the Easter recess".

"Failing that [the House] should be recalled immediately in the event of an escalation in the assault on Baghdad," they say.

The end of the parliamentary term has already been put back from April 10 to 14 to allow the customary four days of debate on the Budget.

And many MPs are set to use their time away from Westminster to campaign in the local elections.

But there is growing concern among Labour members at the "appalling scale of human suffering" being inflicted on the people of Iraq McDonnell claimed.

"It would be entirely unacceptable for members of parliament to be on holiday or back in their constituencies whilst hundreds are being slaughtered and maimed on the streets of the Iraqi capital," the campaign group chairman added.