Iraq statement due Monday

The prime minister will on Monday make his long-awaited Commons statement on the UK's involvement in Iraq.

Following talks in Baghdad last Wednesday Gordon Brown said that he planned to withdraw 1,000 soldiers from Basra by Christmas.

His spokesman told journalists that Brown would use Monday's statement to set out his long-term thinking and aims for the region.

The spokesman also said that chancellor Alistair Darling will outline the Comprehensive Spending Review the following day.

The timetable has fuelled speculation that Brown will call an election on Tuesday October 9 following Darling's announcement.

That would lead to a general election on November 1, or possibly November 8.

It also emerged that the prime minister was considering a request from David Cameron for Conservative frontbenchers to meet senior civil servants to discuss a possible change in government.

By convention, opposition politicians are given the chance to meet senior officials ahead of a general election to discuss how their policies would be implemented if they gained power.

Brown's spokesman said: "I think the prime minister is considering it and will reply at an appropriate time."