Turkey's right to protect its airspace should be respected, the Prime Minister has said following the shooting down of one of Russia's fighter jets by Turkish warplanes.

David Cameron told MPs during Prime Minister's Questions that "the facts on this are not yet clear", and it was "very important we get to the bottom of exactly what happened".

Mr Cameron said there were opportunities for "sensible discussions" with Russia about the agenda in Syria which is about a "political transition".

His comments came as Conservative backbencher David Tredinnick said the problems in Syria provided a chance to resolve long standing international disputes, "not least with Russia".

The MP for Bosworth branded the attack on the Russian bomber "disproportionate" and cautioned against Britain getting into a conflict with Russia over Syria.

Mr Tredinnick said: "Does the Prime Minister agree with me that the turmoil in Northern Iraq and Syria gives opportunities to resolve long standing international disputes, not least with Russia.

"And does he agree with me that the attack on the Russian bomber, something that never happened in the whole of the duration of the Cold War, was disproportionate - and will he make sure absolutely that we do not get into a conflict with Russia over Syria."

Mr Cameron replied: "What I'd say to him is look I think there are opportunities for sensible discussions with Russia about the agenda in Syria which is about a political transition so there can be a government that represents all the people of Syria, and I had that conversation with President Putin last week.

"He mentions the issue about the downed Russian jet, the facts on this are not yet clear, but I think we should respect Turkey's right to protect its airspace, just as we defend our own, but I think it's very important we get to the bottom of exactly what happened."