The Ministry of Defence has admitted that it’s received a 'very serious request' to move troops into sectors under American control.
The MoD denied any soldiers would be sent to rebel-held Fallujah, and said a decision on extending the deployment of Black Watch soldiers hadn't yet been made.
The Conservative leader Michael Howard is demanding an immediate Government statement, to clear up the uncertainty.
In Fallujah this morning they were inspecting the damage after a night of US aerial bombardment.
The US is planning to divert masses of its forces there for an all-out ground attack on the city - now seen as the centre of Iraqi discontent.
US commanders want British soldiers like the Black Watch regiment, currently serving in Iraq, to help out and replace US troops who've been diverted to Fallujah.
But the US army in Iraq has a reputation for being heavy-handed.
The Conservative leader Michael Howard was today visiting the headquarters of the Black Watch regiment .
He said the government should make an urgent statement clarifying whether the Regiment's batallion in Iraq was being deployed to the US sector.
At the moment, British troops are operating only in the south east sector of Iraq around Basra, but hundreds of them could - very soon - find themselves moving into the US sector, serving under US command in cities like Samarra or even Baghdad itself.
While US forces march on Fallujah.
In a further sign of the pressure on forces in Iraq, the Polish Prime Minister today said his 2500 soldiers running the south central sector could start withdrawing in January, straight after the date set for elections.
The Polish Prime Minster Marek Belka made the promise as he scrambled for support ahead of a vote of confidence, which he went on to win.
Residents were fleeing Fallujah today after last night’s air and ground assault by American forces.
The news that the US is seeking British military help will add to expectations that the US is on the brink of moving ground forces into Fallujah.
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