Jeremy Corbyn urged to give MPs free vote on air strikes

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is facing intense pressure to give his MPs a free vote on air strikes in Syria, with his shadow cabinet openly split on whether to back David Cameron’s call for military action.

Deputy leader Tom Watson became the latest leading figure to speak out in support of bombing Islamic State (IS) in its Syrian heartland — putting him directly at odds with his party leader.

Senior figures on both sides played down the prospect of mass resignations if the shadow cabinet does not agree to give MPs a vote when it meets on Monday — something Corbyn has previously rejected.