The former chair of the Stop the War Coalition triggered a row when said he was unconvinced by David Cameron’s case for United Kingdom air strikes on Islamic State (Isis) targets in Syria in the wake of the terror attacks on Paris.
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Mr Corbyn said a unanimously-passed UN Security Council resolution calling for “all necessary measures” against the terrorist groups did not provide justification for military action.
He also “seriously questioned” the Prime Minister’s claim there are 70,000 moderate Syrian troops to tackle IS forces on the ground and voiced doubts about their “loyalties”. Analysts say that offering a free vote to appease the rebels could leave Corbyn looking like he cannot control his own party.
“I want MPs to be able to have full consideration, to make speeches, to make points, to ask me questions, to examine the Government’s case”.
Leader Jeremy Corbyn has made clear his personal opposition to extending RAF bombing missions from Iraq into Syria, but will not require his MPs to follow him into the No lobby if David Cameron calls a vote on strikes against IS, also known as Isil or Isis.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron today looked to exploit Labour’s civil war as he urged those MPs fed up with Mr Corbyn’s leadership to switch parties.
The motion, which will probably be debated later this week, will emphasise that military action will be just one of four courses of action for members to consider.
“I think if Corbyn stays as leader until the general election Labour’s finished”.
The Lothians MSP’s stance will not make a direct difference to a Syria vote in the Commons, but as a prominent Labour figure it represents a boost to Mr Corbyn’s attempts to galvanise his party against intervention.
Shadow worldwide development secretary Diane Abbott, a close colleague of Mr Corbyn on the Labour left, said the final decision was for the leader but insisted “public opinion is moving towards us in opposing the rush to war”.
“There will be resignations among senior members of the shadow cabinet over this”, an unnamed senior shadow cabinet member told the BBC.
“He is speaking because he is the shadow foreign secretary and this is a free vote and the shadow cabinet is embracing that and giving the chance for the alternative position to be put”, said the source.
Jeremy Corbyn must decide whether to whip his party into voting with him against intervention, or allowing a free vote on the issue.
Tory MPs said they were still expecting the vote to be called on Wednesday, despite Corbyn’s efforts to get it delayed.
As divisions among Labour’s top team spilled out into the open, shadow ministers were warned they faced the wrath of grass roots activists unless they fell into line and back the leader.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said he had been briefing Labour MPs on military action over the weekend but stressed the Government does “not yet” have a guaranteed majority to back airstrikes.
Mr Robertson said: “Two years ago the Prime Minister urged us to bomb the opponents of Daesh in Syria”.
He said: “This isn’t about the internal politics of the Labour Party”.
He said: “If there is a vote held this week I would vote against”.
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Most Labour lawmakers did not support Corbyn’s bid for the leadership but he was backed by an overwhelming majority of grassroots party members.
