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Cameron Attacks 'Terrorist Sympathiser' MPs

David Cameron has told Tory MPs not to side with Jeremy Corbyn and "a bunch of terrorist sympathisers" ahead of the vote on UK airstrikes in Syria.

His strongly worded comments to his backbenchers are set to fuel the controversy over the divisive issue of extending military action against Islamic State targets and also risked alienating wavering Labour MPs.

It immediately sparked demands for an apology.

:: Should UK Go To War In Syria? Pros And Cons

Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson, who has said there was a "compelling" case for airstrikes, said: "David Cameron's comments trivialise the decision MPs have to make."

Angus Robertson, the SNP leader at Westminster, wrote on Twitter: "Hope PM Cameron regrets these unacceptable comments, retracts them and apologises at the start of the Syria debate."

Labour MP Lyn Brown said: "Outrageous. Vast majority of MPs, whatever conclusion they come to, will have thought long and deep about decision."

Mr Cameron has previously accused the Labour leader of seeking to "inflict his security-threatening, terrorist-sympathising, Britain-hating ideology on the country we love".

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Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn has told MPs there is "no hiding place" on the crucial vote as he warned bombing raids would lead to civilian casualties.

Parliament will vote on extending airstrikes - currently restricted to Iraq - to IS targets in Syria after a one-day debate on Wednesday.

Mr Corbyn gave the go-ahead to a free vote to opposition MPs in the face of threatened resignations among the shadow cabinet after failing to secure support for his anti-war stance.

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The move was condemned as "deplorable" by the Stop the War coalition, which held a noisy demonstration against airstrikes outside Parliament attended by thousands of protesters.

Up to 50 Labour MPs - including shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn - are expected to back bombing raids, while around a dozen Conservatives are set to rebel and oppose action.

The Liberal Democrats, which has eight MPs at Westminster, and the Democratic Unionists have said they will back airstrikes in Syria.

Forrmer Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg told Sky News the situation had "changed very dramatically" in recent weeks following the Paris massacre.

But the SNP is maintaining its opposition to strikes.

The Cabinet has agreed on the Commons motion setting out the need for military action against the militant group.

However, more than 100 MPs have signed a cross-party amendment seeking to block airstrikes, stating the PM had not made the case for war.

:: What Happens Next If Airstrikes Get Go-Ahead?

Members of the influential Commons Foreign Affairs Committee also narrowly voted that David Cameron had failed to justify airstrikes.

Critics continue to challenge Mr Cameron's claims there were 70,000 moderate opposition forces available to battle Islamic State on the ground, which the PM cited in making the case for strikes.

Mr Corbyn said: "Everything I am hearing is that more and more of Labour colleagues, having consulted constituents, are coming round to the view of opposing the war in Syria."

He added: "I agreed to a free vote that recognises there are differences of opinion within the party.

"The vast majority of party members are opposed to the war in Syria, the majority of Labour MPs are opposed to the war in Syria.

"I hope every MP will recognise tomorrow there's no hiding place on whipping or anything else, you've got to make up your own mind.

"It seems to me we're stepping into something potentially rather dangerous and unknown, but also when you bomb in Raqqa or anywhere else, any other place, you kill people."

Earlier, Mr Cameron said: "I will be making the arguments and I hope as many Members of Parliament - across all parties - will support me as possible.

"That motion talks about ... the necessity of taking military action against ISIL (IS) in Syria as well as Iraq, but it is part of a broader strategy.

"It's about politics and diplomacy and humanitarian aid, all of which we need to bring to bear to bring peace to Syria but to make sure we protect our national interest of fighting against this appalling terrorist organisation."

:: Watch coverage of the Syria airstrikes debate and vote in the House of Commons live on Sky News throughout the day on Wednesday