Jeremy Corbyn downplays claims of scrapping Trident nuclear plans
JEREMY Corbyn has downplayed claims he told Michael Eavis that he plans to start getting rid of Trident as soon as he can after he becomes Prime Minister which he said 'could happen within six months'.
Michael Eavis has recounted a conversation he had with Corbyn during the festival
The Labour leader reportedly told the Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis that he would be in Downing Street within six months and would begin getting rid of the nuclear weapons systems.
Mr Eavis recounted a conversation he had had with Mr Corbyn backstage to an audience on Sunday at the Somerset festival.
According to Somerset Live, the 81-year-old festival founder said: “Wasn’t he fantastic?
"I said to him, 'When are you going to be prime minister?' He said, 'In six months.'"
Mr Eavis said he had asked Mr Corbyn: "When are you going to get rid of Trident?"
"He said, 'As soon as I can.’”
Trident renewal is Labour Party's policy
Trident renewal is Labour policy, as spelled out in our manifesto, which Jeremy and the party were proud to stand on in the election
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: "Jeremy and Labour are ready to fight another general election as soon as it is called.
"We will be campaigning to win and hope that Jeremy will be returned as prime minister.
"That is the case whether it's in six months, as has been speculated on, or later.
"Both Jeremy and the Labour Party have long been committed to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty which aims to achieve a nuclear-free world.
"Trident renewal is Labour policy, as spelled out in our manifesto, which Jeremy and the party were proud to stand on in the election."
Festival founder Mr Eavis has said he was “thrilled” with Labour’s result in the General Election.
Festival-goers have supported Corbyn's presence at Glastonbury
He said: “Millions of young people, Glastonbury people, voted for him.
“I think he has a fundamental sense of justice, of real political change, of being anti-war and anti-nuclear.
'OH JEREMY CORBYN' chants erupt throughout Glastonbury
"That's what we've spent our lives campaigning for too."
The future of Trident has been a source of tension within the Labour Party since Mr Corbyn became leader.
The Labour Party has claimed it wants to renew the nuclear weapons system, but Mr Corbyn has been a member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and has alway opposed nuclear weapons.
Mr Corbyn has been a sensation in Glastonbury with thousands of revellers lapping up his speech on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday afternoon.