The Liberal Democrat politician was one of 524 MPs who voted in favour of air strikes against Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East following a request from the Iraqi government.

Britain’s three biggest parties, the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all voted for military action in the House of Commons on September 26, while 43 voted against.

SNP MPs were among those opposed to the bombings, arguing that the UK Government strategy lacked a coherent post-conflict peace plan and warned of the prospect of a third Iraq war.

The UK has now joined the US-led coalition of around 40 countries, including Arab states, that has vowed to destroy IS.

In past month they have made significant gains across the region — and the Iraqi government also called for help from the West in tackling the terrorists, who are also referred to as ISIS and ISIL.

Mr Reid told the Advertiser: “I voted in favour of bombing Islamic State targets in Iraq. The democratically elected Government of Iraq asked for Britain’s help to stop IS slaughtering more people. If the countries of the west had rejected that request, IS would be given free rein to carry on killing. They are the most evil regime on earth and must be stopped. This is a very different situation to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 which I voted against.

“In 2003, the US and the UK started a war. In 2014 we are intervening in a war which has already started with the intention of defending innocent people who are under threat of being killed.” Mr Reid also commented on the news UKIP leader, Nigel Farage, has been invited to take part in the leader’s debates ahead of next year’s general election. The BBC, ITV, Sky, and Channel 4 have announced plans to hold three debates – similar to those held during the 2010 general election campaign.

Mr Reid added: “Nigel Farage shouldn’t be taking part in leaders’ debates. He’s not even an MP and his party has only one MP. The debates should be only for the leaders of the three parties which could be part of the next Government – Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat.” The broadcasters said the proposed formats reflected ‘changes in the political landscape’ since the three prime ministerial debates during the 2010 general election, which featured Conservative David Cameron, Labour’s Gordon Brown and Lib Dem Nick Clegg.