IN A tense debate in the House of Commons today, Wirral South MP Alison McGovern said Islamic militants "must be stopped."

The Government plans to have the RAF join air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and a vote will be taken in the House at 5pm.

Ms McGovern said: "Our country is internationalist in outlook. To us, all people matter, like our neighbours matters and our family matters.

"People in Iraq matter. This conflict has innocent victims scared out of their homes, women, men and children who take no part in violence but who will lose the most.

"Isil have executed a murderous, disastrously effective campaign of violence. The summer has seen them take control of Iraqi cities, exploiting the fragile politics to terrorise.

"They must be stopped."

The Labour MP made the comments after Parliament was recalled to discuss the UK’s possible involvement in air strikes against the organisation, also known as Isil.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said MPs should respond to the Iraqi government's request for help.

He added that the UK "should not turn away from what needs to be done".

The Liberal Democrats are backing air strikes in Iraq and Labour leader Ed Miliband has confirmed his support, saying the UK cannot "opt out".

Isil has taken has taken control of large areas of Iraq and Syria in recent months and seized several Western hostages.