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Corbyn faces shadow cabinet revolt over Syria air strikes

Jeremy Corbyn has cancelled a visit to a by-election campaign in Oldham amid a shadow cabinet revolt over air strikes in Syria.

Mr Corbyn told Labour MPs that he cannot support the strikes, prompting a furious reaction and resignation threats from the shadow cabinet.

On Thursday, David Cameron urged the House of Commons to back military action against so-called Islamic State in Syria, saying the group posed a "serious and undeniable" threat to Britain.

But in a letter to his MPs, Mr Corbyn rejected Mr Cameron's claim that air strikes would make Britain safer.

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Benn shows support for extending airstrikes into Syria

Shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn has shown public support for Britain carrying out airstrikes in Syria after a shadow cabinet minister told ITV News a "clear majority" of the shadow cabinet was in favour of backing the Prime Minister's plan.

Hilary Benn said Britain should support its allies by playing "our full part" in the fight against Islamic State in Syria. Credit: PA Wire

Mr Benn said there were "compelling arguments" for RAF strikes in Iraq being extended into Syria.

We are trying to make life difficult for Isil/Daesh in Syria and I think there's a very strong case for us playing our full part in doing that, given that we are currently flying missions, providing intelligence and refuelling to others who are participating.

I think our allies look to us - particularly the French, after the grievous blow they have suffered in Paris - and they want to feel we are with them in solidarity, and I think we should be.

– Hilary Benn, speaking to the BBC

Mr Benn's shadow cabinet colleague Diane Abbot, though, said she was "not sure (air strikes) would make British people safer at all".

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Corbyn faces shadow cabinet revolt over Syria air strikes

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