Labour shambles as Jeremy Corbyn RULES OUT Scottish independence referendum before 2024 - but aides make clear he was WRONG and one could happen in 2021
- Jeremy Corbyn is campaigning in Scotland ahead of the December 12 election
- Labour leader ruled out holding Scots independence referendum before 2024
- Aides quickly backtracked and made clear it is possible to hold ballot in 2021
- Permission for referendum red line for Nicola Sturgeon propping up Labour PM
Labour's stance on a Scottish independence referendum descended into turmoil today after Jeremy Corbyn ruled out a vote before 2024 - only to be contradicted by his own aides.
The veteran left-wing caused confusion on a visit to Glasgow by declaring that there would be no ballot on splitting the UK before the next election.
But the comments were at odds with Labour's previous position, which was that it will not stand in the way of a re-run of the 2014 poll. Nicola Sturgeon has made granting permission for another referendum a red line for propping up Mr Corbyn in power if there is a hung Parliament after December 12.
In an humiliation for Mr Corbyn, aides swiftly backtracked and said Labour could allow a referendum if the SNP wins a majority in Holyrood elections in May 2021.
Jeremy Corbyn caused confusion on a visit to Glasgow today (pictured) by declaring that there would be no ballot on splitting the UK before the next election
In an interview as he kicked off his two-day tour of Scotland in Glasgow, Mr Corbyn said: 'No referendum in the first term for a Labour government because I think we need to concentrate completely in investment across Scotland.'
Pressed if it would be undemocratic to decline a ballot if the SNP wins a majority of Scotland's Westminster seats on December 12, he said: 'If the SNP win the majority of seats that's the election of those MPs.
'I'm very clear that a Labour government's priority is investment in Scotland.'
But afterwards aides made it clear that Labour's position could shift if the SNP secures a majority in Holyrood in 2021.
The debacle came on a dreadful day for Labour's campaign, which saw Mr Corbyn brutally heckled on arrival in Glasgow.
Share this article
Addressing Mr Corbyn, who was wearing a tartan scarf, the man said: 'I thought you would be wearing your Islamic jihad scarf... do you think the man that is going to be prime minister of this country should be a terrorist sympathiser, Mr Corbyn?
'Who is going to be the first terrorist invited to the House of Commons when you are prime minister?'
Mr Corbyn appeared to be taken by surprise by the comments as he was quickly escorted away by Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard.
That prompted the heckler, reportedly a Church of Scotland minister, to shout after him: 'Aye, he is running away.'
Meanwhile, Labour's plan to introduce a four day working week was plunged into chaos as shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said it would not apply to NHS staff - but John McDonnell insisted it would.
A man in the crowd, pictured on the right wearing glasses, accused Mr Corbyn of being a 'terrorist sympathiser'
Jon Ashworth and John McDonnell appeared on stage this morning to set out Labour's NHS spending plans. Mr Ashworth said earlier that the four day week would not apply to the health service but Mr McDonnell then said that it would
Mr Ashworth appeared to water down the policy this morning as he said there would be a 'commission and a review in 10 years' time looking at' the viability of a shorter working week.
His remarks put him on a collision course with the shadow chancellor who announced the overhaul of working conditions at Labour's annual conference in September and said it would be achieved 'within the next decade'.
The shadow chancellor said at the time: 'The next Labour government will put in place the changes needed to reduce average full-time hours to 32 a week within the next decade.'
Asked if the NHS would be included in Labour's plan, Mr Ashworth said this morning: 'No. It is not happening. There is not a four day week coming in the NHS.'
But just hours later at a campaign event alongside Mr Ashworth, Mr McDonnell reportedly said the four day week policy 'will apply to everybody'.
The extraordinary split at the top of the Labour Party came after the Tories claimed Labour's NHS spending plans would actually represent a budget cut for the health service.
Most watched News videos
- Eldery couple who hurled vile racist abuse at NHS nurse jailed
- Petsitters caught kicking dog they were paid £1,400 to look after
- Obscene moment baseball fan is caught groping female companion
- Keir Starmer let rip at Sir Lindsay Hoyle after he admonished him
- British tourists hurl sickening abuse at Israelis in Vietnam
- Military Land Rover flips throwing driver out as motorist jailed
- Otter chases family though marina after attacking young child
- Starmer faces calls to quit as No.10 confirms security failures
- Iran propaganda video trolls Trump showing him thrown into Hell
- Toddler bolts toward Phoenix intersection before saved by APS worker
- Bald man in leopard print leotard spotted riding UNICYCLE
- The Big Question: Has Harry really moved on from the Royals?
