Party would consult Cabinet and Parliament over any proposed use of nuclear weapons

Any decision by a Labour prime minister to deploy nuclear weapons would be taken following consultation with the Cabinet, Parliament and the “wider community”, John Mcdonnell said.

The shadow chancellor is a key ally of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and both are opposed to the use of nuclear weapons.

But Mr Mcdonnell said an incoming Labour government would maintain the UK’S nuclear deterrent and “abide by” any decisions made about their use.

In a sometimes fractious interview with Good Morning Britain’s Piers Morgan, Mr Mcdonnell said: “I’ll tell you a straight answer, it’s Labour Party policy, isn’t it, that was in the last manifesto, that we maintain the nuclear deterrent. Full stop.

“It will be a decision of the government in the future, when a Labour government comes to power, about how and if that was ever used.

“I have expressed my own personal view and, I repeat, I lost that debate, so democracy prevails and that would be the policy of the government itself.”

Mr Mcdonnell added there would be talks at all levels of government and the prime minister would take a decision “on the basis of the discussions that take place within Cabinet”.