Syria airstrikes: Jeremy Corbyn tells ITV News Labour MPs must 'do their duty' in key vote

Jeremy Corbyn has told ITV News that extending bombing to Syria would put Britain at greater risk of terror attacks and may create "martyrs" in the country.

Speaking to Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship, the Labour leader made a direct appeal to Labour MPs to "do their duty" in Wednesday's vote on whether to extend airstrikes against so-called Islamic State across the Syrian border.

In a direct appeal, he told the party's MPs - who were this week given a free hand in the vote - "you've got a big responsibility on your shoulders tomorrow".

He added: "The implications are, this authorises military action. This military action is going to kill civilians in Raqqa, it is going to create, maybe, some martyrs as a result of it."

Asked if he thought it would make a terrorist attack more likely, he said previous bombing campaigns in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya had "increased terrorist activity, not decreased it."

Chris Ship: Corbyn insists he's still in control as Syria defeat looms

Shortly after winning the Labour leadership election, Mr Corbyn was described as a "threat to national security" by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Asked whether he could protect the country, the Labour leader said: "Yes, of course."

"We need good security on our streets, we need a police force that's fully-staffed and fully-funded, we need to include all communities and have a community-based response to people that sadly do get enticed into the direction of jihadist activities."

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Many of the headlines surrounding the upcoming vote have focused on whether Mr Corbyn's leadership will be undermined should enough Labour MPs vote against him to ensure a victory for the government - which backs extending the strikes in Syria.

He said he had hoped Labour MPs, "particularly those in the shadow cabinet", would back him in opposing the offensive, adding that he was forced to called a free vote because "that wasn't possible".

Among the shadow cabinet members to favour extending bombing to Syria are shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, who will make the case for the attacks in the same debate that his leader does the opposite.

Despite being forced to back down, he insisted: "I've not lost my authority. My job is to lead the party; my job is to try and represent he party; my job is also to appoint a balanced shadow cabinet and that I did."

Read: PM urges MPs 'across all parties' to support Syria airstrikes