THE Wiltshire Tory who said Tony Blair should not have allowed MPs to vote on war with Iraq has won an award for his controversial views.

James Gray, a former reserve soldier, picked up the Royal College of Defence Studies prize after writing a thesis on the invasion.

In the 10,000 word paper, titled "Crown vs Parliament: Who Decides on Going to War", he stated the Prime Minister should not have to prove conflict was necessary before invading a country.

It caused surprise in the political community earlier this year and made the front page of The Advertiser when the North Wiltshire MP said in the House of Commons that an all-powerful Prime Minister should alone decide on matters of war and peace.

These remarks came at the height of the "sexed-up" dossier scandal, after a series of damaging revelations about Iraq and its alleged Weapons of Mass Destruction.

The PM was being dogged by allegations he took the nation into an unjust war. Central to the fierce political battle were claims Mr Blair had been told by security services that Iraq posed no threat to the UK.

But with Mr Blair accused of being too autocratic, backing for the PM emerged from the unlikely direction of Mr Gray, usually a critic of the government.

He said the PM should have just got on with it. After scooping the award, Mr Gray stood by his reasoning.

He said: "I know this to be a controversial conclusion but if our troops are not to become political playthings I believe it is the right one."