HAMPSHIRE MP Julian Lewis has said it would be “suicidal” for Britain to hand arms to Syrian rebels.

The New Forest East MP, pictured, a former shadow defence minister, made the comments when asked about the deadly civil war in the country.

And Dr Lewis said it would be “suicidal” for Britain to hand arms to an opposition the Government admits includes extremist elements.

He told the BBC Radio 4 World This Weekend programme: “The reason it would be suicidal would be that in taking over Syria, they would also inherit Syria’s arsenal of weapons including, in particular, the nerve gas which is the centre of so much attention.

“In the past we have gone to war because we feared that weapons of mass destruction might fall into the hands of al Qaida and it would be absolutely crazy to assist al Qaida to get their hands on the very sorts of weapons we must keep away from them at all costs.”