Jeremy Corbyn would make a decision on deploying nuclear weapons as prime minister only after consultation with Cabinet, Parliament and the “wider community”, John McDonnell said today.
The shadow chancellor and key ally of Corbyn is, like his leader, opposed to the use of nuclear weapons.
But Mr McDonnell said a Labour government would maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent and “abide by” any decisions made about their use.
He said that Mr Corbyn would engage in “talks at all levels of government” in the event of an escalating nuclear threat.
In a blistering exchange with ITV’s Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan, Mr McDonnell said Mr Corbyn would make a decision after “weighing” up advice.
Mr McDonnell said: “Jeremy Corbyn when he is in government, will obviously take the decision on the basis of the advice he is given by the Cabinet, the discussions that have taken place in Parliament and the country overall.
“And weighing all those matters up he will then come to that decision.”
Labour Party Conference 2018
Asked what would happen if the anti-nuclear Mr Corbyn was given firm advice to deploy the weapons, he said: “There would be a government decision the Prime Minister would abide by.
“The decision would be one in the best interests of our country.”
Mr McDonnell also hit out at Morgan’s interview style, describing it as a “monologue”.
Morgan insisted more than a dozen times during the 20-minute exchange that the country needed to know how Mr Corbyn would act if he became prime minister and faced an escalating threat.
