Minister quits over Trident row
Nigel Griffiths, deputy leader of the House of Commons, has quit his role amid a growing rebellion over the future of the Trident nuclear missile system.
Two other ministers could resign from their posts in government over the issue, and as many as 100 Labour MPs could vote against plans to update the UK’s nuclear deterrent, it has emerged.
Ministerial aide Jim Devine and Stephen Pound, Hazel Blears’ parliamentary private secretary, could be set to leave their posts over Wednesday’s crunch vote on reaffirming the UK’s commitment to Trident.
This morning Mr Griffiths handed his resignation letter to Number 10.
“I’m confirming that I have resigned from the government with a heavy heart but a clear conscience,” he told the BBC.
“I will be making a statement in the parliament setting out the full reasons.”
And the revolt goes beyond the front bench with a BBC poll showing 63 per cent of Labour back benchers are against the plan.
Michael Meacher, who is planning to run for the leadership of the Labour party after Tony Blair steps down, led the attacks on the government.
“By fixing the vote in the Commons next Wednesday, No 10 is bouncing parliament into a momentous decision years before expert opinion says that is necessary,” he said.
Just 22 per cent of the Labour backbenchers polled by the BBC said they would back their party’s official policy.
But even a rebellion on this scale is not set to see Tony Blair lose the vote, with the Conservative party saying they will back the government plans.
