Labour's divisions over Trident were exposed as the party's defence spokesman clashed with shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry over the future of the nuclear deterrent.

Ms Thornberry indicated the party's support for Trident could not be guaranteed after a defence review if Labour wins the June 8 General Election.

But shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith slapped her down, saying the policy was not Ms Thornberry's responsibility and the shadow foreign secretary was wrong.

Ms Griffith said: "With all due respect, Emily is not the shadow defence secretary. I am."

Labour's leadership has said Trident will be covered in a defence review if Jeremy Corbyn - a long-standing campaigner for nuclear disarmament - was in Number 10.

Labour's policy, set by the party conference, supports Trident but shadow foreign secretary Ms Thornberry said she could not guarantee what the outcome of the review would be.

Ms Thornberry, who said she was "sceptical" about Trident, was asked in a radio interview to confirm that backing for the missile system would remain as Labour policy after the review.

She replied: "Well no, of course not, if you are going to have a review, you have to have a review."

On LBC Radio, she said: "Overwhelmingly we need to make sure that our policy is up to date and meets 21st-century threats and no one can disagree with that, surely?

"You know there was a time when we gave up on sabres or horses, you need to keep updating your defence policy and meeting the most pressing and most obvious needs.

"We need to make sure any war that may be fought, will be fought on 21st-century terms."