Russia-US tensions: Cabinet gives May the go-ahead for Syria strike 'to deter further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime'

Diane Abbott, Labour's shadow home secretary, has said it would be "outrageous to bomb Syria without a vote in Parliament."

"The convention that, Parliament must vote before putting our troops in harms way, should not be abandoned," she said.

Donald Trump has said he "never said when an attack on Syria would take place."

The US president tweeted to say an attack could be "very soon or not so soon at all!"

His tweet said: "Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of Isis. Where is our "Thank you America?'"

Jeremy Corbyn has condemned Donald Trump's fiery rhetoric on Syria and said: "More bombing, more killing, more war will not save life."

The Labour leader was asked about the US president's tweet yesterday in which he said "nice and new and 'smart!"' missiles would soon be fired toward Syria.

Mr Corbyn said: "I think the whole world should be alarmed at that sort of instant reaction - sending stuff out on social media to make policy.

"What happened in Syria is disgraceful. Any use of chemical weapons by anybody against anybody else is clearly illegal as well as immoral and wrong.

"The United Nations has a duty and a function to ensure there's a proper investigation undertaken as the inspectors are now in Douma doing just that and, when we've got the results of that, decide what action to take.

"But, I would just say this. Hundreds of thousands have died and lost their lives in Syria.

"Millions have been forced into refuge. Many are living in terrible poverty and desperation. There has to be a political solution.

"Russia, America, the European Union, all the neighbouring countries, Iran, Saudia Arabia have got to be involved in ensuring there is a real ceasefire and a political process that does give hope to the people of Syria in the future.

"More bombing, more killing, more war will not save life. It will just take more lives and spawn the war elsewhere."

Jeremy Corbyn also demanded MPs be consulted before the UK joined any attack on Syria.

"Parliament must be consulted on this," he said.

"Surely the lessons of Iraq, the lessons that came there from the Chilcott Report, are that there's got to be, there has to be a proper process of consultation.

"We elect Parliament, we elect Members of Parliament.

"They should have a voice in this. Cabinet on its own should not be making this decision.

"I do urge people to look again at what Chilcott said about the evidence that was presented and the arguments that were presented.

"I want to see the whole picture on this because I want to see peace in Syria.

"I want to see an end to the war in Syria.

"That does mean America and Russia holding back, pulling back and talking to each other.

"The dangers of bombing now, which could escalate the conflict beyond belief. Just imagine the scenario if an American missile shoots down a Russian plane or vice versa. Where do we go from there?

"Surely, if we've learned nothing from the last 50 years of Cold War and the proxy wars since then [it is] the dangers of that."

When he was asked whether he opposed military action in Syria under any circumstances, Mr Corbyn said: "I'm not in favour of increasing military action in Syria, what I'm in favour of is a political process to bring about peace."

He added: "Assad should be dealt with by international law; by sanctions, if necessary; by the United Nations, but, also, by pressure from those countries that have supported him and those countries that have supported the opposition - to halt the conflict, to bring about a solution that does recognise the rights of the diversity of the people in Syria. The Kurdish people and others have got to have their say in how this process works out."

Emmanuel Macron has said France has "proof" chemical weapons were used by the Syrian regime.

The French president said he will make the decision on whether to strike Syria when the time comes.