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Jeremy Corbyn forced to deny he told Glastonbury organiser he will scrap Trident 'as soon as I can'

 Jeremy Corbyn and Michael Eavis  - REUTERS
Jeremy Corbyn and Michael Eavis - REUTERS

Jeremy Corbyn has been forced to deny claims that he told the organiser of Glastonbury Festival he plans to scrap Trident "as soon as I can" if he becomes Prime Minister.

Michael Eavis, the farmer who has organised the Festival on his land since 1970, said Mr Corbyn told him he would be Prime Minister "in six months".

Mr Eavis was asked during a question and answer session with festival-goers what Mr Corbyn had said to him before he addressed the crowd from the famed Pyramid Stage on Saturday.

 Jeremy Corbyn Makes A Guest Appearance At Glastonbury Festival - Credit:  Matt Cardy /Getty
Jeremy Corbyn pulled in a crowd at Glastonbury Credit: Matt Cardy /Getty

Somerset Live reported that Mr Eavis said Mr Corbyn predicted he would be in Downing Street by the end of the year and that when he asked him when he would get rid of Trident he said "as soon as I can".

A Labour source said that Mr Eavis appeared to be "paraphrasing" a conversation with Mr Corbyn.

The future of Trident has been a major source of tension within Labour since Mr Corbyn assumed the leadership.

Jeremy Corbyn Glastonbury - Credit: Paul Grover for the Telegraph 
Jeremy Corbyn is said to have made the comments about Trident at Glastonbury Credit: Paul Grover for the Telegraph

The party is committed to renewing the nuclear weapons system, but Labour has said it will hold a strategic defence review if its gets into power and Mr Corbyn remains a member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: "Jeremy and Labour are ready to fight another general election as soon as it is called. We will be campaigning to win and hope that Jeremy will be returned as prime minister. That is the case whether it's in six months, as has been speculated on, or later.

"Both Jeremy and the Labour Party have long been committed to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty which aims to achieve a nuclear-free world.

"Trident renewal is Labour policy, as spelled out in our manifesto, which Jeremy and the party were proud to stand on in the election."

Johnny Mercer, Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: "Corbyn is kidding even his own Corbynistas - he says one thing in public and the opposite in private. Don't be fooled this man is dangerous and cannot be trusted with our defence and security."