General election: Labour government would make ‘collective’ decision over use of nuclear weapons

Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, says Labour would maintain ‘ambiguity’ over circumstances in which Trident deterrent might be used

‘I don’t necessarily believe that will be a decision made by one individual’ (AFP)

A Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour government would make a “collective” decision on whether to use nuclear weapons in response to an imminent threat, the party’s shadow foreign secretary has said.

Emily Thornberry came under fire from Conservatives after suggesting that Mr Corbyn would share the decision on whether to press the nuclear button with senior colleagues.

Labour’s official policy is to retain the UK’s independent Trident deterrent, but the party leader has previously said that he would not be willing to use nuclear weapons.

Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain whether she believed Mr Corbyn would be ready to order the use of Trident if the UK was under threat of nuclear attack, Ms Thornberry said: “I don’t necessarily believe that will be a decision made by one individual, I suspect that the way that Jeremy makes decisions is that he takes advice and we work collectively.”

And she later told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “We will do everything we can in order to protect our country if it becomes necessary. We will make those decisions together and Jeremy listens to his colleagues, particularly those who he knows and respects.”

Ms Thornberry said that Labour would want to maintain “ambiguity” in the minds of Britain’s enemies as to the circumstances under which Trident could be used.

“The whole idea of a deterrent is that it is ambiguous and who knows when we would use it,” she said. “If you’re going to have nuclear weapons, there needs to be an ambiguity about whether you would need them or not.”

And she insisted: “In principle Jeremy is not a pacifist. There will be times when we need to use military force.

“But when we use it we need to ensure that the use of that military force actually makes the situation better in the long run.”

Defence minister Johnny Mercer said: “The fact that the shadow foreign secretary is openly speculating that her leader could be overruled by a committee on a matter as fundamental as using our nuclear deterrent shows just how weak Jeremy Corbyn really is. Even his closest colleagues don’t trust him.

“It is important that Labour urgently clarifies their position on whether or not they would actually be prepared to use our nuclear deterrent if needed. They should start by telling us who exactly will sit on this committee that would consider whether or not to authorise a nuclear strike or not in the face of a foreign threat?

“Labour are dithering on whether they would use Trident, just like they are dithering and delaying on Brexit. Their position on national security is in chaos and their plans for another two referendums next year would wreak havoc too. Only the Conservative Party would get Brexit done so that we can focus on delivering on people’s priorities.”