Corbyn Set For Showdown Over Syria Airstrikes

Jeremy Corbyn is set to reveal later whether he will order his party to oppose airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.

The Labour leader is facing the prospect of a shadow cabinet revolt if he whips the vote in the Commons, which could take place within days.

There have been demands for him to allow a free vote - which would let MPs vote with their conscience - but Mr Corbyn has said MPs must listen to the party membership, who overwhelmingly elected him in September.

In a defiant interview on Sunday, Mr Corbyn said he alone would take the final decision.

The results from a survey of Labour activists is set to be published later, before Mr Corbyn gathers his senior team for a last-ditch effort to agree a collective position.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell and deputy leader Tom Watson are among those who have urged a free vote.

Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna told Sky News he would defy his leader if he is told to oppose airstrikes.

A meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, a large proportion of which is believed to be considering backing military action, will then follow the shadow cabinet gathering.

Union boss Len McCluskey has accused Mr Corbyn's opponents of using the issue as the "thin edge to stage a coup".

In an article for Huffington Post, Mr McCluskey - who backed Mr Corbyn's leadership bid - made clear he thought the Prime Minister’s plan to extend airstrikes from Iraq to Syria was "illegal and irrational".

He said: "Backbench MPs are even calling on him (Mr Corbyn) to quit for having the temerity to maintain his values and principles, with one even comparing him disgracefully to a 'fuhrer'.

"That is not open debate, it is abuse and should have no place in the party.

"The thought that some Labour MPs might be prepared to play intra-party politics over an issue such as this will sicken all decent people."

Mr Corbyn told the Andrew Marr show one of the reasons he is against airstrikes is because he has serious doubts about David Cameron's claim that there are 70,000 moderate Syrian fighters on the ground to take on IS.

He also said a unanimously passed UN Security Council resolution calling for "all necessary measures" against the terrorist group did not provide justification for military action.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told the same programme he had been briefing Labour MPs on military action, but stressed the Government does "not yet" have enough votes to back airstrikes.

He rejected claims a bombing campaign could cause a large number of civilian deaths as the militants retreat into tunnels or uses the local population as "human shields".

Mr Fallon claimed the RAF strikes in Iraq had not killed a single civilian and warned the UK's reputation would be damaged and the public less safe if action was not taken against IS in Syria.