Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has written to his MPs saying he cannot back UK air strikes in Syria – prompting a warning of shadow cabinet resignations.
Mr Corbyn rejected David Cameron’s claim that targeting so-called Islamic State would make Britain safer.
His intervention – which puts him at odds with a number of his MPs – was criticised by a shadow cabinet member.
The frontbencher said there would be resignations if Mr Corbyn ordered the shadow cabinet to back his stance.
Labour is divided on whether to support Mr Cameron’s call for air strikes, with about half of the shadow cabinet believed to back intervention.
Mr Corbyn’s decision to write to MPs before the shadow cabinet had reached agreement was criticised by a senior shadow minister, who told BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith: “There will be resignations among senior members of the shadow cabinet over this.”
He said Mr Corbyn’s letter had led to a breakdown of trust within the shadow cabinet, which had not been consulted before it was sent.
