TONY BLAIR was last night struggling to contain the political storm over Iraqi weapons after one of his senior ministers accused "rogue elements" in the intelligence services of briefing against the Government.

The accusation by the Leader of the Commons, John Reid, prompted immediate demands from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats for a full-scale judicial inquiry into the whole affair.

During a stormy Prime Minister's questions, Mr Blair praised MI5 and MI6 for their professionalism as he attempted to prevent the row escalating into an all-out confrontation between Labour and the security services.

Earlier, Downing Street sought to play down Dr Reid's remarks, insisting that ministers were not alleging a conspiracy by the intelligence agencies.

But Mr Blair found himself under fire from Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who accused him of ordering the "disgraceful" attack on the intelligence agencies.

Liberal Democrat Menzies Campbell said it would be an outrage if Dr Reid's allegations were true.

Dr Reid's intervention was being seen as a sign of the mounting frustration within the Government.

For the past week, ministers have been unable to shake off allegations that they exaggerated the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

It followed reports of claims by unnamed intelligence sources that the security services were ordered to "sex up" evidence that the Iraqis could deploy weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes for a Government dossier published last September.

In his first Commons appearance since the storm broke, Mr Blair said that all the intelligence issued by the Government had come from the Joint Intelligence Committee - the body that assesses material for ministers.

"I have confirmed with the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee there was no attempt at any time, by any official or minister, or member of Downing Street staff, to override the judgements of the Joint Intelligence Committee," he told MPs.

He said the controversial claim that Iraq had been able to deploy some weapons of mass destruction at 45 minutes' notice was a judgement made by the Joint Intelligence Committee.