20 Labour MPs defy Jeremy Corbyn in Trident vote
Jeremy Corbyn has been defied by 20 of his MPs over Trident after they were ordered to stay away from an SNP-inspired debate on scrapping the nuclear deterrent.
Some 14 Labour politicians - including ex-leadership contender Liz Kendall and former shadow chancellor Chris Leslie - voted with the Tories in support of Trident against the SNP opposition day motion.
And six Labour MPs backed the SNP proposal, a position in line with Mr Corbyn's personal thinking but against official Labour policy.
In an effort to avoid confrontation over the controversial policy, Mr Corbyn had ordered MPs not to take part in the vote, which shadow chancellor John McDonnell branded a stunt''.
Labour divisions were plain to see throughout the Commons debate as several pro-nuclear deterrent MPs made pointed speeches in the debate, while shadow defence minister Toby Perkins outlined how support for Trident was current official party policy.
Mr Corbyn, an avowed opponent of nuclear weapons, sparked controversy last week by appointing former London mayor Ken Livingstone as co-convener of Labour's defence review.
The SNP motion was defeated 330 to 64, majority 266.
The Labour MPs who voted against the SNP motion were: Kevin Barron (Rother Valley), Ben Bradshaw (Exeter), Mary Creagh (Wakefield), Chris Evans (Islwyn), Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar & Limehouse), Ms Kendall (Leicester West), Mr Leslie (Nottingham East), Madeleine Moon (Bridgend), Albert Owen (Ynys Mon), Jamie Reed (Copeland), Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East), Angela Smith (Penistone & Stocksbridge), Gisela Stuart (Birmingham Edgbaston) and John Woodcock (Barrow & Furness).
The six MPs who voted for the motion were: Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley), Roger Godsiff (Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath), Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North), Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West), Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) and Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton).