FORMER Stroud MP David Drew has voiced his opposition to armed intervention in Syria amid reports that the Government is considering some kind of military response to a suspected chemical weapons attack in the country.

The Labour politician has welcomed the decision to recall Parliament to debate the crisis on Thursday and said he was ‘appalled’ by the Assad regime’s apparent use of chemical agents against civilians.

However, Mr Drew said he firmly opposed any form of intervention in the country as he remained ‘unconvinced that the benefits would outweigh the risks’.

The UK, French and US governments are thought to be drawing up plans for an intervention, which is most likely to consist of limited missile strikes against Syrian military targets.

Speaking earlier today, Mr Drew, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the next General Election in 2015, said: "I am pleased that Parliament has been recalled to debate the crisis in Syria.

"I am appalled at the actions of the Assad Government who, it would appear, has used chemical weapons on its own people during the conflict currently ravaging Syria.

"However, we have to learn lessons of history and it would be a huge mistake to initiate military interventions without the backing of the United Nations.

"I am opposed to any form of intervention as I remain unconvinced that the benefits would outweigh the risks and would vote accordingly."