John McDonnell plunges Labour into more Trident confusion during awkward interview

John McDonnell says the issue is still up for review despite Clive Lewis deciding the party should support it

Labour confusion over Trident has deepened after John McDonnell said the shadow Defence Secretary’s view on nuclear weapons was “open” to be challenged by party members.

In an awkward interview on BBC Newsnight, Mr McDonnell explained that while Clive Lewis had decided the party should support the UK’s Trident deterrent the matter was still part of a review.

It comes after a furore at conference which saw Mr Lewis told as he waited to give a speech that he must change it - with alterations being made to the autocue on stage as he waited to deliver it.

A sticky note was used to inform Mr Lewis he must not say that under him the party’s existing policy of backing Trident would remain the same.

Following the awkward moment, captured on camera, both Jeremy Corbyn and Mr Lewis cancelled interviews, as it threatened to overshadow Labour conference.

Speaking about Mr Lewis, Mr McDonnell said: “His view is the matter has been decided for the time being, but it’s always open for our party members to raise these issues, and I’m sure that’s what will happen on a range of views.”

After being read a quote from the shadow defence secretary, in which he stated that he would not come back to conference to alter the existing policy, Mr MCDonnell added: “He’s not coming back, but it’s open, we’re a democratic party.

“When you join the Labour party you are told you have the right to have a view on these policies and to change those policies. Anyone in the party can campaign upon this issue and put it back on the agenda, that’s democracy.”

Earlier in the interview on BBC Newsnight, Mr McDonnell was asked to explain the party’s Trident policy. He said: “Existing party policy at the moment is to renew trident. We’ve had a debate in the House of Commons which was a free vote because we believe this was a conscience issue.

“And as a result of that the party came to a consideration, and the attitude amongst our members is the same - that we will give the right to MPs and to our members who support trident to vote accordingly but at the same time we’ll enable others to campaign against if they so wish.”

Interviewer Evan Davis asked whether he would be voting for or against Trident, if he were to back Labour at the next election.

Mr McDonnell said: “In the period up until now and the general election we will form our manifesto. There will be people like me who will be arguing that we scrap Trident, there will be others that will be arguing to keep it.

“At the moment the majoritarian position is to keep it, but at the same time when we go into parliament this is a conscience issue for members, so there will be a free vote.”

Mr Lewis was shown in a film clip that spread across Twitter, looking angry and uncomfortable on the stage as his speech was altered.

One report suggested that Mr Corbyn had agreed the script of his speech only to be overruled by his powerful communications chief Seamus Milne.

Another source told Politics Home that Mr Lewis had “punched a wall” following the incident, though this was later denied.