COTSWOLD and North Wiltshire MPs Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and James Gray have expressed their support for the government in their plans to carry out airstrikes in Iraq on the Islamic State.

The organisation has captured territory across Iraq and Syria and has been targeted by airstrikes from the United States and its allies over the last few days.

After a seven hour debate MPs voted in favour of airstrikes by 524 to 43.

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton Brown explained that he fully supports airstrikes but had some reservations about the UK’s exit strategy to avoid a protracted war.

Earlier today he said: “I support the Government in their aim of eradicating ISIS. It is an awful organisation set on killing people indiscriminately.

“I will be voting in favour of air strikes in Iraq as I believe the time has come for the UK to join the international coalition in tackling this extremist group.”

North Wiltshire MP James Gray also confirmed that he would be supporting airstrikes against the group in order to destroy them completely.

He said: “I think that the whole world has been aghast at atrocities carried out by ISIL.”

“We can’t stand by and watch as children are being beheaded for not renouncing Jesus Christ, for instance.”

He added that he felt that the Prime Minister should not have called the vote, but rather used the secret intelligence he had at his disposal to make an informed decision on behalf of the country.

He said: “One of the few times Parliament voted on a war was in 2003 and I don’t think anyone really thinks that was a good idea.”