ISLWYN MP Don Touhig, pictured, went head-to-head with anti-war protesters in a public debate last night.

Valleys residents braved the rain to hear the Wales Office minister debating the war in Iraq with members of Blackwood Coalition Against The War.

Mr Touhig shares the prime minister's view that Saddam Hussein has breached UN resolutions concerning the disarmament of his regime, and that now the UN should agree to go to war.

Huw Williams, spokesman for Blackwood Coalition Against the War, said: "We think all MPs who are for the war should have the courage to debate the issue with their constituents.

"We have found when we have petitioned in the Blackwood area there is massive opposition to Tony Blair's policy of supporting President Bush in this matter."

Mr Touhig said: "I'm here because the coalition asked me to come and talk to my constituents. I always respond to groups and organisations in my constituency if I can."

Both men addressed the 80-strong crowd for 15 minutes at The Miner's Institute in Blackwood before the floor was opened to questions.

Mr Touhig spoke first and told the audience that standing up against tyranny and oppression is part of the heritage of Valleys people.

Mr Touhig said: "People from these valleys fought against Franco's fascists in Spain, they fought against Germany in the 1930s and as recently as the 1980s we fought against the war Mrs Thatcher declared on us.

"We look after our neighbours and our community, that is our way. And in the same vein I do not believe we should let Saddam continue his tyranny - a regime which is the incarnation of purest evil."

Mr Touhig stuck resolutely to his view when faced with a barrage of questions from audience members with strong anti-war views.

But one audience member, 22-year-old Sarah Elam, a student from Swansea University and the daughter of an Iraqi Kurd, told Mr Williams: "By protesting against the war, you are protecting another war - a war that Saddam inflicts on his own people through torture and murder."

Blackwood coalition has also planned a protest on the evening of any war starting which will assemble outside Blackwood library at 6pm. This is in conjunction to protests organised by anti-war protesters in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea.