JEREMY CORBYN’S chances of overturning Labour’s controversial support for Trident renewal have been boosted by unexpected support from senior backbencher Keith Vaz. 

The Leicester East MP, who has previously voted in favour of retaining Britain’s nuclear weapons system, says the Labour leader’s arguments have changed his mind on disarmament.

In an interview to be broadcast today on Russia Today, Mr Vaz says: “I support Jeremy Corbyn’s line on this, I think he has persuaded me. 

“He’s made it very clear when he’s prime minister he’s not going to be able to use these weapons so what’s the point of having them.”

The member of Parliament’s national security committee reveals his change of heart just a day after Labour formally launches its defence policy review. 

CND general secretary Kate Hudson commended Mr Vaz for taking an “open-minded approach and engaging with the arguments” for and against Trident.

She told the Star: “That is all we ask from Labour MPs and Labour Party members — that they go into their defence review willing to listen to other views and open to shaking off their preconceptions about nuclear weapons and their utility — or not — for Britain’s security.”

Emily Thornberry, who does not support Trident, will lead the review after replacing pro-nuke Maria Eagle as shadow defence secretary last week. 

She insisted yesterday that she had not prejudged the conclusion, which will be published in June ahead of the parliamentary vote on Trident renewal. 

“It will be open, transparent and inclusive — and its conclusions will be based on the evidence,” she said. 

“At every stage of the process, we will give full scope to the wide range of views on this subject in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.”

Defence specialists, NGOs and the armed forces, as well as Labour affiliates, will be invited to submit their views.

GMB general secretary Paul Kenny, who represents workers at the Barrow shipyard, warned the area could be “devastated” if Trident servicing jobs are lost. 

“The fundamental issue is the question of what are you going to do about those jobs,” he said. “The unions are not going to surrender responsibility for defending members jobs.”

• Responses to Labour’s defence review can be made at www.yourbritain.org.uk/defencereview