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Lord West: I could resign Labour whip over Trident

Former Labour minister and peer Lord West has reiterated that he would probably resign the Labour whip if the party reversed its pro-Trident policy.

Speaking to the Daily Politics, the former First Sea Lord said unilateralism was "not a good idea".

Labour is conducting a review of its defence policy, which will consider its position on Trident.

Review chairwoman Emily Thornberry, the shadow defence secretary, is anti-Trident, as is leader Jeremy Corbyn. But others in the Parliamentary Labour Party back Trident, and want party policy to remain in favour.

Lord West told Andrew Neil he hoped there would be a proper debate and discussion as part of the review, adding it is "trite to say we don't need nuclear weapons... we need them pragmatically, I fear".

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