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| Minister quits over Trident plans | Minister quits over Trident plans |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Deputy leader of the Commons Nigel Griffiths has quit the government in protest at plans to renew the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system. | Deputy leader of the Commons Nigel Griffiths has quit the government in protest at plans to renew the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system. |
| He resigned "with a heavy heart but a clear conscience" ahead of Wednesday's House of Commons vote on the plan. | He resigned "with a heavy heart but a clear conscience" ahead of Wednesday's House of Commons vote on the plan. |
| Although a Labour rebellion is expected the Tories back renewal of Trident, making a government defeat unlikely. | Although a Labour rebellion is expected the Tories back renewal of Trident, making a government defeat unlikely. |
| Jim Devine, a parliamentary private secretary, has also indicated he will resign over the issue. | Jim Devine, a parliamentary private secretary, has also indicated he will resign over the issue. |
| In a statement after handing his letter in to Number 10 Downing Street, Mr Griffiths, MP for Edinburgh South, said: "I'm resigning with a heavy heart but a clear conscience. | |
| "I intend to make a personal statement in the House of Commons to colleagues and it is only right that they hear the reasons first." | "I intend to make a personal statement in the House of Commons to colleagues and it is only right that they hear the reasons first." |
| Tory backing | Tory backing |
| MPs will debate and vote on Wednesday evening on the £20bn plan to replace submarine-based Trident nuclear weapons system. | MPs will debate and vote on Wednesday evening on the £20bn plan to replace submarine-based Trident nuclear weapons system. |
| Ministers say the long lead time in developing and building the replacement submarines means a decision needs to be taken soon on replacing Trident. | Ministers say the long lead time in developing and building the replacement submarines means a decision needs to be taken soon on replacing Trident. |
| Conservative leader David Cameron made clear his support for the plans on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday. | Conservative leader David Cameron made clear his support for the plans on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday. |
| He said: "I think it needs to be done and I've always supported Britain having a nuclear deterrent, so when Trident comes to the end of its life it needs to be replaced." | He said: "I think it needs to be done and I've always supported Britain having a nuclear deterrent, so when Trident comes to the end of its life it needs to be replaced." |
| The Liberal Democrats have said Parliament should not make its decision until at least 2012. | The Liberal Democrats have said Parliament should not make its decision until at least 2012. |
| Mr Griffiths, an MP since 1987 and deputy Commons leader since 2005, previously served as a trade and industry minister. | Mr Griffiths, an MP since 1987 and deputy Commons leader since 2005, previously served as a trade and industry minister. |
| Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North), an opponent of Trident renewal, said: "I hope other MPs will follow suit and start leading the UK down the path of nuclear disarmament, not re-armament, on Wednesday." | Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North), an opponent of Trident renewal, said: "I hope other MPs will follow suit and start leading the UK down the path of nuclear disarmament, not re-armament, on Wednesday." |
| Alan Mackinnon, chairman of Scottish CND, said: "We welcome the principled stand taken by Griffiths on this crucial issue and we hope his example will be followed by other Labour MPs." | Alan Mackinnon, chairman of Scottish CND, said: "We welcome the principled stand taken by Griffiths on this crucial issue and we hope his example will be followed by other Labour MPs." |
| A survey for BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend programme found that out of the 101 Labour MPs who responded, 22 said they supported the renewal of Trident. | A survey for BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend programme found that out of the 101 Labour MPs who responded, 22 said they supported the renewal of Trident. |
| A total of 64 said they opposed it, and a further 15 remained undecided. | A total of 64 said they opposed it, and a further 15 remained undecided. |