This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6441627.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Minister quits over Trident plans | Minister quits over Trident plans |
(about 1 hour 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. | 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. |
I hope other MPs will follow suit and start leading the UK down the path of nuclear disarmament Jeremy CorbynLabour MP Profile: Nigel Griffiths | I hope other MPs will follow suit and start leading the UK down the path of nuclear disarmament Jeremy CorbynLabour MP Profile: Nigel Griffiths |
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. |
Survey | |
Commons leader Jack Straw paid tribute to him in the Commons on Monday, saying: "I would like to place on record my appreciation for the excellent work whichhe undertook in this place." | |
Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn, 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, 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. |